WANSTEAD: Tesco granted alcohol licence (From This Is Local London)

WANSTEAD: Tesco granted alcohol licence

2:15pm Monday 27th April 2009 in

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TESCO have been granted an alcohol licence for its new shop in Wanstead High Street, the Guardian can exclusively reveal.

Campaigners had hoped the council would deny the supermarket giant the right to sell booze, claiming the shop would damage trade for independent businesses and encourage binge drinking if it was given a licence.

But after a hearing of the council's licensing sub-committee on Friday, it has now been agreed that the shop will be allowed to sell alcohol seven days a week between 8am to 11pm.

The chain originally wanted to sell alcohol at 6am, but otherwise all of its initial demands were met by councillors.

Ashley Gunstock, one of the leaders of the campaign against Tesco, reacted with dismay when the Guardian broke the news to him.

He said: "I'm disgusted. It's absolutely appalling.

"It will drain the income of traders in Wanstead incredibly and there will be a lot of social issues from this as well.

"I will be looking into whether there is any way of appealing against this decision."

Stephen Alsop, manager of independent butcher’s AG Dennis in the High Street, said: “I’m in shock. It’s beyond belief.

“For all the effort that went into the petition for the council just to take no notice is just nonsense. It’s disgusting the way the whole thing has been handled.

“People in Wanstead should boycott Tesco. There are a lot of loyal customers in Wanstead and hopefully they’ll keep shopping with businesses like ours.

"There’s Tescos in South Woodford, the Green Man roundabout, Charlie Brown’s roundabout, there’s just no need for it here.

“It’s bad enough as it is for local businesses at the moment.”

Nish Pau, manager of Londis, said: “I’m just numb to be honest. What can I say? It’s going to affect us all.”

There was also controversy at Friday's hearing when chairman Cllr Edward Griffin refused to accept a petition against the licence from campaigners, which had been signed by 1,440 people.

Cllr Griffin has been unavailable for comment today about the controversy.

Tesco have been unable to comment at the time of writing.

A date for the store opening has not yet been set.