A restaurant off a Manchester road which was once dubbed 'alcohol alley' has been granted an alcohol licence after agreeing to cut its hours. Ya Koyo in Moston, will be allowed to sell alcohol until 10pm all week and open until 11pm.
The Kenyon Lane business had originally applied for late night licence with live music, food and alcohol available until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. But the hours were reduced after the council received objections from 12 residents.
Residents raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and crime in the area, arguing that allowing late night alcohol sales would only make matters worse, while others said the live music licence would lead to increased noise pollution. Some of the residents also referred to nearby Moston Lane as 'alcohol alley'.
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One resident said: "Many premises on and around Moston Lane have had their alcohol licences refused especially after being dubbed alcohol alley [...] This was welcomed by local residents. I think it would now be an insult to grant a new licence and especially for the times requested for yet another premises."
It comes more than a decade after hundreds of residents joined councillors campaigning to stop new alcohol licences being granted in the area. Moston Lane, where 22 licenced premises were located, was dubbed 'alcohol alley'.
The local police officer for the area also objected to the original application, raising concerns about 'high' crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. The representation from Greater Manchester Police also referred to two premises associated with these issues in the area which were recently closed down.
But the police withdrew the objection after the application was amended, together with a local councillor, while Manchester council's licensing panel praised the premises for taking on board the comments from the objectors.
Speaking at the licensing hearing on Monday (January 9), Benjamin Onalaja said he now knows about the issues in the area and appreciates the concerns. He explained that the restaurant which he invested in last year has recently been refurbished after the previous owner died and her daughter took over.
He told the licensing panel that he and his business partner Patience Ukonga want to offer drinks to customers, but the restaurant remains focused on food. The former convict who runs Soul & Surf in Ancoats said the restaurant would train staff and is willing to employ security guards if that is deemed necessary.
He said: "To be honest, I think it should be okay and will be successful."
The licensing panel agreed to grant the amended application.
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