Woodwares closing / Sainsburys coming to Portobello

[Mark Cameron]

Right let's set up a stinger operation? You know send in some underage teenagers with hidden cameras and see how they get on in each of the purveyors of booze and make the results avaialble to the police?

I agree, like 90 od percent polled in Geoff Lynn's survey, that another off licence wont be an issue. I do think however that a clamp down on selling to those under 18 is necessary (couldn't we try to promote via Sarah that all Porty traders ask for ID for anyone under 25).

[Chas]

If there are genuine concerns about a Licensed Premises, it might be worth looking at pages 3 & 4 of the guidelines here:

Rather than [illegal] stinger operations, it might be just as effective to let the Licensing Board know.

[lg1726]

[Mark Cameron]

Sorry the stinger op suggestion was tongue in cheek I just forgot the devilish smiley!

As to the traders signing up to a Porty traders code of conduct re alcohol sales I think that would be useful. Also why don't we email our community councillors and ask that they specifically look at the provision of alcohol to under-agers after all they alredy have a close working relationship with the local police and this would be something they could press for that no one (other than the teenagers!) could have a moan about.

[minnie1957]

'''''The Community Council is here to represent the residents & traders of Portobello. We try to take the majority view about local issues, so please help us to get it right by telling us what you think. We can only deal with what we know about. If you have concerns about a local issue, from uneven pavements to graffiti to Edinburgh's policies on Transport, Planning, Environment or any other matter, contact us or, better still, come to a meeting and tell us about it.''''''

This was the first thing I read when I went online regarding The Community Council. Diane Cairns please take note!!! I have emailed them telling them that as a portobello resident I should be heard and I have no problem with Sainsburys coming to the High Street. In fact I feel that if we stop shops like Sainsburys we are killing off the High Street. Large and small business in Musselburgh High Street manage, in fact most people I know who live outwith Portobello only see us through a bus window as they make thier way to shop in Musselburgh. Cost Cutters are selling items for 2.99 which I can pick up in the pound shop in Musselburgh.

[gillian]

Someone help me out here
The" neutral "stance that the cc took over the school build, was it just for that issue? Will they have to be neutral on this one?
Will they be able to object to Sainsbury's on our behalf? or is it not something they will have control over anyway?

[Pal of Porty]

While the above discussion on alcohol is very pertinent, we need to remember that this topic has only been introduced by the, 'Anti - Everything in Porty including Sainsbury's' brigade, who are grasping at pathetic little straws to try and stop one type of shop legitimately replacing another.

[lg1726]

[SoupDragon]

Well if theres over provision maybe they should revoke some of the licenses already granted.

Its an odd argument considering 2 offys closed in the High Street not to mention at least 3 pubs

[Pal of Porty]

[lg1726]

[minnie1957]

Sainsburys will follow the code that other large stores do. They are heavily fined and the person on the check out selling cigarettes or alcohol to an underage person is immediately dismissed. Anyone on the checkout that values thier job will not sell unless they see id or if the customer has grey hair.

The chances of stoping Sainsburys selling acohol is a rediculous and futile attempt once again of certain people doing thier utmost to control Portobello and Portobello residents. If these individuals put in the same energy to bring business into the area, as they do trying to stop things happening, we might have a better area to live in. A place where people who do not live in the area will want to visit and shop.

Unfortunately, Portobello, with its many anti brigades, is becoming a bit of a joke, you only have to look at the EEN forum to discover that.

[Mark Cameron]

Yup i've even seen us branded PAEDOs on a forum......

Portobello Against Every Development Opportunity.

Time to change!

[lg1726]

[Pal of Porty]

Very familiar.

[regent]

[lg1726]

You know, it is possible for individuals and/or groups to make a submission to the local licencing board in support of an application!!

I plan to look into how to go about this and will consider doing so when the time comes. I really do not want the PCC to claim to speak for me on this - they dont!!

[Mark Cameron]

LG - can you keep us posted on what you uncover. I'd sign up or write my own submission if it's possible. I'll also let the Portydads group know (cos I know how keen they are for a bevvy!)

[lg1726]

mcdryburn - as soon as I get the full legal explanation sorted out I'll put up a post.

Apparently although possible it's quite a complex process. Objections are OK, but submissions of support are considered a tad spurious! As I understand it lobbying the Licensing Board is of itself on an application an offence and so it has to prove that it not a lobbying action! I have asked someone in the know to get me some clear legal advice and will keep you posted! But it can be done within the legal parameters.

LG

[Sceptic]

There is a thread elsewhere through which the number of charity shops and third rate retailers in Portobello High Street. We get a top class retailer wanting to insert an Express, small scale outlet, selling top quality fresh food, groceries and, probably, wines, beers and spirits. rather than welcome them with open arms, we get PAVED (Portobello Against Virtually Every development) stepping in.They against this! What do they want? At least sainsburys will not be selling 3 litres of White Lightning 8% abv "cider" for pennies. They will be selling responsibly.
There again, as it has been said elsewhere, PCC do not represent Portobello, they are manned by two areas residents' associations and self interest groups. Who represents the "ordinary" men and women of Portobello? The PCC do not, that's for sure.

[wangi]

Do something about it - have you ever been to a PCC meeting? There's one on Monday.

[Sceptic]

Wish I could, but do have other committments. Somehow, me going in to this forum, stating some home truths about them would not go down well.
I have had experience of this lot before,"if you are not with us, you must be against us", being called "aTraitor to Portobello" because I would not support their little NIMBY objections.

[Sceptic]

Just for info, Sainsburys have entered a planning application for the shop front and ancillary alterations.
I wonder if there will be objections from you know who?

[wangi]

[bearcub]

[Makaveli]

You are kidding Bearcub?

I think my wife might go potty when I tell her here is another 'no' campaign in Porty!!!

[bearcub]

Unfortunately not, it was in one of the shops near the proposed Sainsburys that might be affected.

[wangi]

[geofflynn]

Existing Woodwares front elevation

Sainsbury's proposed front elevation

[Sceptic]

So blue IS acceptable but maroon is not?
Are there "blue noses" in Portoblello, but no "jambos"?

Joking aside,personally, colour is no reason to object.
The fact that they might just give some shops competition may be the reason why.
If other traders can compete, they will do well, if they can't, well, they can't.

[Puerto bella]

or you may want to write and support along with the hoards of others who support this proposal.

[Puerto bella]

look at the New Town ones and make your own mind up as to what's appropriate in a CA.

[geofflynn]

I've created a form so people can generate a response to send to planners re the Sainsbury's planning applications

Please go here -->

It seems that Portobello Community Council are to object to these plans. I am not aware of any consultation they have undertaken amongst the community in Portobello so it is important that you make your views known to the planning department.

Whether you wish to object, support or merely comment on the plans you can use this form to generate a response and send it on to the planning dept.

It is likely that other Portobello groups will also be objecting. Anyone who is a member of PCATS, Brightons and Rosefield Residents Association, Portobello Amenity Society or PEDAL may wish to enquire as to what representation is being made in their name.

[geofflynn]

admin: split from thread.

It seems that Portobello Community Council are to object to the Sainsbury's planning applications for changes to their planned shop at 222-228 High Street.

I am not aware of any consultation they have undertaken amongst the community in Portobello so it is important that you make your views known to the planning department.

Whether you wish to object, support or merely comment on the plans you can use this form to generate a response and send it on to the planning dept.

[Puerto bella]

deja vu