A NEW convenience store in Cleethorpes has been refused permission to serve alcohol until 1am – but has warned it is likely to appeal the decision.
Cleethorpes Food & Wine is to open in the vacant premises previously occupied by Twelve Bar Music, in the High Street.
Owners Printhavab Srikantha and Janagan Yogasara had initially applied to North East Lincolnshire Council for a licence enabling the business to serve alcohol until 3am, but later amended this to 1am after concerns were raised by Humberside Police.
However, the council's Licensing Sub-committee rejected their request, granting the premises a license to serve alcohol until 11pm.
The sub-committee, which comprised of Councillors Matthew Barrow (Lab, Park), Matthew Patrick (Lab, Heneage) and Melanie Dickerson (Con, Wolds), said it had taken the decision in order to limit alcohol-related crime and disorder in the town centre.
Almost 30 residents had made representations to the committee, the vast majority of whom had suggested limiting the alcohol licence to 11pm.
Under the licence, Cleethorpes Food & Wine will be able to serve alcohol between 7am and 11pm seven days a week, and hot refreshments, including tea, coffee and hot pies at other times.
Its proposed opening hours, which are not enforceable by the licensing authority, are 7am until 11pm Monday to Wednesday, 7am to midnight on Thursday, 24 hours on Friday and Saturday, and midnight until 11pm on Sunday.
Solicitor David Hook, acting for the applicants, told a hearing at Grimsby Town Hall that the men had noticed a demand for alcohol sales in the early hours of the morning through their experience as contract managers for the Murco petrol garages in Grimsby, and Cleethorpes.
He said that the new shop would provide a more convenient outlet for customers, being in the middle of the town centre and opposite a taxi rank.
When questioned why the alcohol licence needed to extend to 1am, he said that otherwise the business would not be viable.
He also stressed that door staff would be employed to prevent inebriated or unruly customers entering the shop, adding: "We are not laying in wait for all the drunkards to come to the shop so we can sell them alcohol. We want nice customers. We don't want the herberts."
However, Stephen Hodgson from Humberside Police, told the hearing that having a shop selling alcohol after 1am would only encourage revellers to stay in the town centre for longer, increasing the risk of alcohol-fuelled violence.
"It's clear there's a consensus that, because of the location and the potential problems that those purchasing alcohol after 11pm would cause, this is not a desirable model."
Bill Geer, from the council's drug and alcohol action team, expressed concerns that the proposal would exacerbate the problems of drink-fuelled domestic violence and put further strain on the emergency services.
Councillor Hazel Chase, portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said the application showed no consideration for neighbouring residents.
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PAUL Hurst admits his hunt for Grimsby Town reinforcements remains as complicated as ever.
The boss continues to scour the leagues for two strikers and a central-midfielder to complete his Mariners squad.
Hurst is poised to announce his decisions on the club's three trialists – Joe Ironside, Craig Clay and Jon-Paul Pittman – today or tomorrow.
But he also insists that recruitment work is continuing behind the scenes, with varying degrees of success.
He told the Telegraph: "I made a call the other day which made things clearer in one sense but not in another!
"So the search will go on in terms of one or two extra bodies, but as long as I've got a nucleus then I'm happy to go with that.
"I've seen enough positives and I feel I've got some good players, so we'll just make sure that when someone does come in it's the right one.
"As the season nears, one or two clubs will be looking at trialists and decide not to take them, or will take on trailists which knocks down one of the existing lads in the first-team squad.
"Ultimately, you can only start with 11 and some lads won't be happy sat on the bench.
"It's an ongoing process really, and I'm certainly keeping my eye on one or two players who are out there."
Following Friday evening's 1-0 defeat to Mansfield Town at Blundell Park, Hurst is targeting further improvements against Sunderland's youngsters tomorrow night.
"I think we've just need to get a bit more cohesion within the team, and that will happen more when we're not using as many substitutes," he commented.
"It's a squad game but you obviously have to have a team in mind (for the first game), so that's what we'll be looking at now.
"Trying to get on the scoresheet is obviously importantly. I don't think Paddy McLaughlin could have done too much more with his header on Friday night.
"Then, their keeper made a good save from Carl Magnay, and Ross Hannah couldn't quite get the rebound inside the post.
"So it's just that last little bit for us to improve on now, but that will come I'm sure.
"With some players, I'm making my mind up ahead of the first game, and one or two things are certainly a bit clearer in my mind."
Having Toto Nsiala, Shaun Pearson and Scott Neilson all suspended for the opening Conference clash, at Bristol Rovers, provides a further complication for the Town boss.
"That's made it a bit more difficult in terms of pre-season – they need the minutes, but others need minutes probably a little bit sooner," he added
"We've still got three friendly games to go – two essentially and then one (at Brigg) which will perhaps involve the players that aren't going to be available to me on the first Saturday of the season.
"As we move closer, the lads are getting extra minutes under their belts and we've got more chances in training to work on one or two things as well."
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A DAZZLING display by the Red Arrows brought Cleethorpes Air Show 2014 to a spectacular close.
Thousands of people swooped into the resort over the weekend to enjoy the winning combination of action-packed aerial displays and ground-based attractions.
And both families and aviation enthusiasts alike turned out in force yesterday afternoon to cheer on the Red Arrows, who are based in Lincolnshire at RAF Scampton.
Their appearance came after fresh fears were raised about the future of the team, whose fleet of Hawk T1s will reach the end of its lifespan in six years' time and will cost £375 million to replace the 15 jets.
Sales representative Nigel Critten, 51, from Grimsby, said the Red Arrows are a "British institution".
He added: "There's massive support for the Red Arrows. I think they're fantastic and, as a country, we should be very proud of them.
"I travel a lot for work but I always make sure I'm home for the air show because it is my favourite weekend of the year. I think it's absolutely amazing that we can have an event like this that doesn't cost anything to attend but that brings so much revenue into the town.
"It's great to see everybody coming together and having a good time."
Bob Callison, who is a Cleethorpes Air Show committee member, said the Red Arrows have a real "wow factor" and always attract huge crowds.
He added: "The Red Arrows are the flagship of the RAF and we support them fully.
"Events like the air show help to keep them running and also draw attention to the RAF, which can only help with recruitment. They are one of the real wow factors at this year's airshow."
Laura Harbord, 32, from Grimsby, enjoyed the event with her children, Declan Robinson, ten, and Alesha Robinson, five. Laura said: "We came along last year and the kids really enjoyed watching all the planes. "I think it's brilliant to have a free event like this, especially when the weather is so nice. "Each display is different so it's definitely worth coming on both days." Pamela and Byron Leonard, 86, from Cleethorpes, headed to the event early on Saturday morning to secure a prime view of the action. Pamela, 83, said: "We wanted to come along to see the planes. "We come to Cleethorpes every day anyway as we love it do much." Byron added: "We enjoy seeing all the planes but the Battle Of Britain Memorial Flight is my favourite." Clare Grimshaw, 29, from Scartho Top, enjoyed the show with family. She said: "The weather is so nice that we thought we would bring a picnic and make a day of it. "My husband's family have travelled especially from Derby to be here. "It's good to have something like this that is free to attend and it means you're more likely to spend money in the local shops. "There are so many people here that it must improve tourism, too."POLL: Did you visit the Cleethorpes Air Show?Follow us on Facebook and TwitterVIEW PICTURE GALLERIES www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/pictures
A SPRINKLING of Premier League stars could be on show tomorrow night when Sunderland visit Blundell Park.
The Black Cats are sending their Under-21 Development Squad – led by Town's former Youth team boss Robbie Stockdale – for the Mariners' latest pre-season test (7pm).
The friendly was arranged as part of Stockdale's move from Cleethorpes to Wearside in 2012.
And while the majority of Gus Poyet's first-team squad have travelled to Portugal for a warm-weather training camp, Stockdale told the Telegraph that 'a few' senior pros could be on show tomorrow tonight.
"I think they tried to arrange this friendly last pre-season but, for one reason or another, we couldn't quite match our dates up," he explained.
"I'm glad that we've managed to get everything sorted and I'm really looking forward to coming back over.
"It's going to be our Under-21 Premier League developmental squad with possibly a few first-teamers as well so it will be well worth coming down – it'll be a good night and a really good game.
"The first team have just flown out to Portugal, but there may still be a few senior players appearing tomorrow night, we'll have to wait and see.
"A lot of our young players attract loan interest from big Football League clubs so there will be some good players on show.
"We're a good team and I hope to show that we're a passing side that plays football the right way, and I know Grimsby Town fans appreciate that brand of football.
"I'd expect the Grimsby team to be physically stronger than our lads, but I'd hope that we can cause them a few problems as well."
All proceeds from tomorrow night's game will go towards the ongoing campaign to maintain the Mariners' Youth set-up – a cause close to Stockdale's heart.
"I've got fond memories of Grimsby and I met some really good people during my time there," he continued.
"The pressures that we were under at Grimsby were well-documented with the work that we did to keep the Youth set-up going.
"The fact that it is still running – and doing so well – is fantastic and a great testament to the hard work of the people there.
"I'm sure if the fans come down and watch tomorrow they'll enjoy it and with all the proceeds going to the Youth set-up, it just makes it even more worthwhile because it's a great cause."
A TEACHER who became obsessed with a teenage pupil, showering her with attention and sexually touching her in a nightclub has been jailed for a year.
He deliberately went to the nightclub, became "touchy-feely" with her, bought her alcoholic drinks and put his hand on her bottom.
He also slipped his hand under her top and rubbed her back, a court heard.
Darri Poucher, 31, denied meeting the 14-year-old girl following sexual grooming and a second charge of sexual activity with her, but was convicted by a jury at Grimsby Crown Court after a trial.
Michael Smith, prosecuting, said that Poucher became a supply teacher at a Grimsby school in July 2009. The school cannot be named for legal reasons.
He became over-familiar with her and groomed her for sexual purposes.
"She began to notice that she was different from the other girls in the class because he was making so much of her," said Mr Smith.
"It became clear to her that he appeared to take a particular interest in her. He was talking to her more often than he would the others. He would see her after school and chat with her.
"He was making her feel that she was a favoured pupil. He began messaging her on Facebook in a way that was wholly inappropriate for a teacher."
During Facebook messages, he called her "babes" and she called him "love". She told him: "Gosh, you are a geek."
They exchanged messages about the X Factor and music.
"She should not have been doing it but what was he doing allowing that sort of behaviour?" said Mr Smith.
"He was prepared to approach this young lady, who was one of his pupils."
The girl told Poucher that she and some friends were going to the Pier nightclub, Cleethorpes, which at the time had recently reopened after refurbishment.
Poucher went there that night and deliberately set out to find her and speak to her.
He was friendly towards her, put his arm around her, bought her alcoholic drinks and allegedly put his hand under her top before stroking her back.
"He intentionally met her in the Pier nightclub and he intended to do something which involved the commission of a sexual offence," claimed Mr Smith.
"He was being touchy-feely. He put his hand on her bottom. He was dancing very close up to her.
"He sexually assaulted her. The touching was sexual. He knew full well that she wasn't 16 or over and the touching was sexual."
The following Monday, Poucher spoke to the girl at school and said he was sorry if he had embarrassed her in the nightclub. Their Facebook messages continued.
Poucher left the school but he continued sending messages to her until April 2012.
The matters came to light when the teenager was discussing career options with another teacher.
She mentioned that she had exchanged Facebook messages with Poucher and had met him in the Pier.
"The teacher behaved in a rather more responsible way and said that it had to be reported immediately – and it was reported," said Mr Smith.
Poucher admitted being friendly with the girl and meeting her in the nightclub but denied buying her alcoholic drinks or touching her in an inappropriate way.
He claimed he had reported the matters to other teachers at the school but they had no recollection whatsoever about this.
Judge David Tremberg told Poucher: "You are a manipulative, deceitful, resourceful fraudster with an unsavoury eye for young girls. You are an unreconstructed sex offender and it's necessary to protect the public from the risk of serious sexual harm from you.
"These offences were a serious breach of trust. It was committed over some time and there was a significant age difference between you.
"These offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate for them."
Poucher, who has been living recently in Hay Barn Road, Deeping St Nicholas, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, was given a 10-year sexual offences prevention order, restricting his future contact with girls under 16, and he must register as a sex offender for 10 years.
In separate cases, Poucher has already admitted two offences of fraud by claiming that he was a qualified teacher, intending to make a financial gain, between May and July 2011 and between September and May 2012. He was jailed for two years for those offences, to run consecutively – full details in tomorrow's Telegraph.
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LABOUR has chosen Melanie Onn as its parliamentary candidate for Great Grimsby – and her first priority is backing the Grimsby Telegraph's campaign to maintain a direct rail link between Cleethorpes and Manchester.
With veteran Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell standing down at the next General Election, in May 2015, Melanie is hoping to follow in his footsteps and secure the Grimsby seat for Labour.
And she has pledged to do all she can to maintain the direct rail link between Cleethorpes and Manchester – which more than 5,000 Telegraph readers have signed a petition for via our Keep On Track campaign.
Melanie said: "I will be an active campaigner for Grimsby straight away, including doing all I can to maintain our direct Trans-Pennine rail link to Manchester."
The 35-year-old was announced as the party's chosen candidate for the Grimsby constituency on Saturday night, as reported on www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
She beat off competition from former Cleethorpes MP Shona McIsaac, North East Lincolnshire councillor Ros James and Electoral Reform Society chief executive Katie Ghose, who made up the all-female shortlist, which caused some controversy.
Mum-of-one Melanie, who lives in Grimsby, said: "It is a real privilege to have been selected by the members of Great Grimsby Labour Party.
"It has been a tough selection process, against some very talented Labour women."
Before moving to Healing, Melanie lived on the Grange and Nunsthorpe estates, later attending Healing Comprehensive and Franklin College.
She studied politics, philosophy and international studies at Middlesex University, before working for a national blind charity and the Labour Party.
She is now a trade union organiser for the public services union, Unison, working in and around Grimsby with public sector workers.
Among her key priorities for the constituency are working to improve job opportunities for young people in the town.
She said: "I am really keen to make sure our young people are able to use all of their skills to achieve their full potential in life.
"Labour is committed to helping provide the bridge between education and employment.
"As a result of Tory coalition, policies the people of Grimsby have seen the biggest fall in living standards for a generation.
"I am looking forward to showing them what Labour has to offer to improve the tackle the cost of living crisis many are facing."
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