Tesco’s bid to sell alcohol 24 hours a day from its Upton Park store has been blocked.
The supermarket chain had applied for a revised premises licence to sell alcohol around the clock every day at the Green Street branch.
Newham Council’s licensing sub-committee heard objections from the Metropolitan Police who were concerned that the road already had issues with drinking and anti-social behaviour.
They argued that there was “considerable potential for public nuisance”, which Tesco countered with the claim of challenging customers who looked under 25, not selling strong alcohol and using CCTV.
Currently, the store is allowed to sell alcohol between 6am and midnight Monday to Saturday, and for six hours within that time period on Sunday.
Councillor Ian Corbett, chair of the committee, said: “Street drinking is an issue that concerns residents, but we consider each application on its merits and take into account possible effects on crime, disorder and public nuisance.”
The store is in a cumulative impact zone, where police and the council try to reduce street drinkers.
The committee added in its refusal that it was mindful that there were no other stores in the area selling alcohol 24 hours a day.
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