LICENSING chiefs have cut the proposed opening hours of a new off-licence in Copmanthorpe following protests by villagers.

A new convenience store in Church Street will only be able to sell alcohol until 7pm, instead of 11pm as had been requested.

A number of conditions have also been imposed in response to residents’ concerns in the village near York, which has recently been troubled by antisocial behaviour problems.

Twenty-one objections were received by City of York Council’s licensing committee after Caroline Kay Davison applied for a premise licence to sell alcohol daily from 7am until 11pm at 1 Church Street, formerly a newsagent’s.

One resident said: “We already have a significant problem with under-age drinking and alcohol-induced antisocial behaviour. We feel the addition of another alcohol retailer in the village centre will encourage people to congregate late at night.”

Another said: “We constantly are troubled by teenagers drinking in our street, hanging around our property, littering, using bad language and being a nuisance… We do not wish for any further hassle caused by the proposed opening of this shop.”

Licensing manager John Lacy, pictured, said the licence enabled the store to sell alcohol daily from 7am to 7pm and to open until 7.30pm on Wednesday and Saturdays.

He said: “The committee approved the licence under a number of conditions, which were requested by the police and agreed by the applicant.”

He said the conditions included the store installing CCTV, applying the proof of age scheme and ensuring all off-sales are sold in sealed containers.