A FRESH attempt is being made to allow alcohol to be sold at a controversial store in Burnley – after residents won a fight to keep it ‘dry’.

Pervaz Iqbal was told by the borough’s licensing sub-commitee last August that he could not have a premises licence for the Happy Shopper, in Briercliffe Road, as it ‘would exacerbate anti-social behaviour’.

Burnley Lane Residents Association had objected, stressing that there were 10 shops, three pubs and a social club selling alcohol within a 500-yard radius.

No-one has been allowed to sell alcohol from the premises since Mr Iqbal’s brother saw the store’s licence stripped in 2010 after repeated problems with under-age sales, the committee has been told.

But the new applicant, as part of his appeal, has promised that anyone previously associated with the business will not work at there in future.

And he has pledged that, along with there always being a designated supervisor on site, that for three months, if a licence is granted, no alcohol will be sold after 7.30pm.

Previously he had outlined proposals to install a full CCTV system and adopt a ‘Challenge 25’ policy, to guard against under-age sales.

Coun Anne Kelly will chair the three-strong sub-committee to hear the review at the town hall next Thursday, with Coun Ida Carmichael and Coun Margaret Brindle.

The committee has been told it can grant the application, as requested, modify conditions on the licence or refuse the new bid in part, or its entirety.