Supermarket granted permission to sell alcohol from 5am daily (From Gazette)

Supermarket granted permission to sell alcohol from 5am daily

5:00pm Monday 11th March 2013 in News

A SUPERMARKET has been given permission to sell alcohol between 5am and midnight despite opposition.

Colchester councillors granted permission to The Co-operative, in the Shrub End Road, Colchester, to increase the number of hours it can sell alcohol as long as a contact number is given out to neighbours so they can report antisocial behaviour.

The licensing sub-committee made the decision on Friday after The Co-operative, part of a Texaco filling station, applied to increase its current hours it can sell alcohol, between 6am and 11pm everyday, to between 5am and 12am.

Borough councillors for the area, Lyn Barton, Nigel Offen and Pauline Hazell, had opposed the plans, saying it would increase antisocial behaviour in the area.

Mr Offen said: “I am very disappointed for the residents but I suppose there is some conciliation in that the number to call will be available.

“I just hope it is worthwhile calling the number as it will be no help to anyone if no action is taken on the other end of the line.”

A spokeswoman for The Co-operative said: “As a community retailer, the opinions of local residents are very important to us, and they can rest assured that we will continue to adopt a responsible approach to the sale of alcohol.”