Concerns have been raised about alcohol sales at a new Tesco Express store in North London over fears it will fuel anti-social behaviour. The supermarket chain is looking to sell booze until midnight every day, which a local councillor has claimed will have a ‘detrimental impact’ on residents.
Brent Council has received an application from Tesco for a new premises licence at an Express store in a residential area of Wembley. -If approved, the store would open from 6am until midnight from Monday through to Sunday – with the ability to sell alcohol for the duration of its opening hours from Unit C on Beresford Avenue.
Both the Metropolitan Police and Brent Council’s Licensing Representatives have withdrawn their initial objections to application after Tesco agreed to a number of conditions – including keeping log book records of all refused alcohol sales, not selling high-strength beers and lagers (above 6 per cent), and installing CCTV cameras throughout the store.
However, a local ward councillor has objected to the application, as they feel alcohol sales would contribute to ‘on-going issues’ with anti-social behaviour in the area. Liberal Democrat councillor for Alperton, Cllr Hannah Matin, is calling on Brent Council’s Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee to refuse the licence.
Cllr Matin said: “I believe proceeding with this license would have a detrimental impact on residents in the area, as it would further contribute to ongoing issues around antisocial behaviour – particularly street drinking and the associated littering of empty cans and bottles.”
She added: “Local residents are consistently raising concerns about the impact this has been having on them and their added safety concerns as well.”
Within the application, Tesco claims that it has devised policies, procedures, systems, and training to ensure alcohol is sold ‘in a responsible manner’ and a member of the management team will be on premises ‘all the time the store is open’.
It states: “This colleague will have responsibility for the premises and will be the initial point of contact for any issues that may arise. The premises licence holder is fully aware of its responsibilities under a range of health and safety related legislation and has policies and procedures in place to be confident of complying with the relevant obligations which arise.”
Tesco said it listens to the feedback from the local community, council and other local partners. It is excited to be opening a new store and will provide further updates on the plans as it gets closer to opening.
The application will be reviewed by the sub-committee at a meeting later this month (February 28) when a decision will be made on whether Tesco can go ahead with the plans.
Grant Williams is a journalist and Local Democracy Reporter (LDR) for Reach PLC, reporting on local government, politics and community issues across London. As part of the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he has contributed to Harrow Online, covering council decisions, housing developments, transport, planning matters and stories affecting local communities across Harrow and Brent.
