AN application for a licence to sell alcohol at a town’s new post office has been granted by the county council, despite several objections.

Northumberland County Council’s licensing sub-committee granted a premises licence for the new Hexham post office on Battle Hill last week.

The post office is due to relocate later this month to the empty premises, which will also sell alcohol. It is currently in the Beales store, which is closing down.

The council had received six objections to the proposal from residents of the Excelsior Building on the road, who feared that the shop selling alcohol from 5am until midnight could lead to an increase in public nuisance.

Residents claimed they already had issues with noise and people drinking due to the presence of the nearby Hexham Convenience Store, which also sells alcohol.

Objector William Fairless wrote: “We consider this poses an increased of public nuisance as well as health and safety issues to our residents due to a number of challenges we already have to deal with.

“The current nuisance issues come in the form of late night noise and of individuals using the entryway to our block of flats to consume alcohol, and smoke cigarettes, dumping empty cans and cigarette butts. Arguments and fights have also taken place and we have had to personally clean the flagstones of vomit and other mess.”

In response, the county council agreed measures with Northumbria Police to mitigate the concerns of residents. The licence was granted from 6am until midnight, with alcohol sold through a night hatch window from 11pm.

In addition, CCTV and a challenge 25 policy would be in operation, and the shop would sell beer in packs of four to avoid street drinking.