Tesco and council battle over alcohol licence

The supermarket chain said it would sell alcohol "responsibly"

A council has objected to Tesco selling alcohol at its new store in central Brighton.

The supermarket chain has applied for a license to sell drink from 8:00 BST to 22:00 at its forthcoming store on the city's Western Road.

But Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) lodged an objection to the application as it said there was a "saturation" of premises selling alcohol in the area.

Tesco said it had a "good neighbour ethos" and would sell alcohol in a "responsible manner".

The council licensing team said opening a new outlet selling alcohol in the busy city centre would breach its licensing policies.

It said Tesco had failed to show they would not add to existing stresses in the area or justify being exempt from the policy, which the council said was possible in "exceptional circumstances".

Tesco said that all drinks in the shop would be “beyond arm’s reach” behind a plastic screen, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The supermarket chain has also agreed not to sell strong beer or cider – more than 6% ABV (alcohol by volume) – except for craft or speciality brands.

A council licensing panel on 21 October will hear from both sides before deciding on the application at a virtual meeting.