A shop in Wythenshawe where police found drugs and a machete will be allowed to sell booze.
Down 2 Earth Minimart can now sell alcohol to customers between 10am and 11pm following approval from Manchester council’s licensing sub-committee. The police had asked for the application to be refused over concerns over drug dealing on the premises, Manchester Town Hall heard.
Greater Manchester Police raided the Gladeside Road site on October 11, 2023, finding drugs, large amounts of cash and a machete, PC Stuart Hammersley told the panel hearing.
PC Hammersley said: “At the premises there was a strong smell of cannabis. There was a staff member and a visitor sat inside with drugs on them.
“This was dealt with by community resolution order (CRO). A large amount of cash was found and a machete. Locals had said drug dealing took place at the property, and has been for years.”
The shop owner, Sean Grant, was present at the meeting alongside his partner Samantha Grant. The pair told the hearing the incident was ‘no longer an issue’ and said the staff member involved no longer works there. Samantha added that it happened before Sean took over as the licence holder for the shop.
Samantha added the machete found was ‘actually a large knife’ used to cut string and parcel boxes. The panel was told the large amount of cash present was because the shop takes cash transactions from customers.
The licensing sub-committee decided to grant the application subject to conditions.