Tesco apply for 24-hour licence (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Tesco apply for 24-hour licence

BOOZERS in the Cotswolds will soon be able to buy alcohol round the clock.

Tesco has applied for a licence to sell alcohol in Cirencester's Kingsmeadow store 24 hours a day and also wants to extend the licence in its Stow-on-the-Wold store.

This has sparked concerns from the police who fear it could lead to anti-social behaviour if it is not monitored carefully.

Police spokesman Matt Ford said: "We do have concerns about extended hours for serving alcohol.

"In terms of an increase in crime and disorder we feel is likely if certain security measures are not met."

The store currently sells alcohol from 8am until 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am until 10pm on a Sunday.

When the licensing law changes in November customers will be able to buy booze whenever the store is open.

A Tesco spokesman said the move was to give shoppers the chance to buy booze at times which suited them.

She said: "Most of the alcohol we sell is sold as part of a family weekly shop. It is about being able to offer the convenience of doing that at that time."

Fears have already been expressed about new licensing leading to an increase in anti-social behaviour but the Tesco spokesman said the 24 hour applications had only been made for out-of-town stores which people had to drive to.

She said: "We take our responsibility with regard to alcohol very seriously and it is something the industry needs to address.

"Drink driving is something that people would be foolish to do. I think it is really only about being able to offer convenience. If people want to shop at these times it's about being able to let them buy it."

A CDC spokesman confirmed there had been applications for extended opening hours at Tesco Kingsmeadow and the Stow store.

Dave Watson, chairman of the LVA and landlord of the Wheatsheaf Inn, said off licences and supermarkets had a very different responsibility compared to pubs.

He said: "They serve it to someone to take away and then it's out of their control. They can buy the stuff and get completely slaughtered.

"I am sure Tesco cannot really control it - they already have 24-hour licensing really, once they sell it it's out of their control."

Dave also said extended drinking hours in Cirencester would be strictly monitored by pub landlords.

He said: "Most places will operate a closed door policy so people won't be walking in at 1am or 2am.

"They will close their doors and not let people in at that time. A number of pubs will be closing at 2am but they will close their doors before that."