Tesco loses local alcohol battle

Updated 17.32 Mon Mar 26 2007

Keywords: Birmingham City Council, alcohol, Tesco

An application by supermarket giant Tesco to sell alcohol at a new store in Birmingham has been rejected.

The chain applied for a licence to sell alcohol at a new Tesco Express convenience store on the edge of the famous Bournville Village Estate.

"It's not that we are opposed to drinking alcohol - this isn't a moral or religious stand, but we would like it to be respected" - Nigel Dawkins

But more than a 1,000 residents of the historic "dry" community - which has no pubs or off-licences in the area - signed a petition to stop Tesco making the move.

Councillor Penny Wagg, chair of the Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committee said: "The committee was concerned about issues relating to anti-social behaviour, underage drinking and litter which were raised by interested parties."

Councillor Nigel Dawkins, who co-ordinated the opposition, said the proposed Tesco Express was in the middle of three hotspots for anti-social behaviour in Bournville where young people buy alcohol outside and bring it back to the area to drink in parks.

"It's not that we are opposed to drinking alcohol - this isn't a moral or religious stand, but we would like it to be respected," Mr Dawkins said.

"Our primary objection is that we believe the proposed licence for Tesco would exacerbate an existing problem of anti-social behaviour," he added.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "We are disappointed by this decision and are considering our options."