Despite strong local opposition, Tesco have been granted a license to sell alcohol at their new shop on Bathwick Hill.
The shop was granted planning permission in an appeal judgement by a government inspector; subject to restricted opening hours and work to improve pedestrian safety on the road outside. When the license hours applied for did not match the inspector’s judgement many locals feared a plot. However, Tesco’s solicitor told Cllr Nicholas Coombes that this was an error, adjusting the hours to the permitted 8am to 9pm.

Cllr Coombes, who led local opposition to the license at the Guildhall said: “Thank you to everyone who spoke with me at the license hearing; I think that we put together a good argument about the damage this could do to our community. I hope that the mitigation measures, including a security guard, work.”
Tesco were rebuked by the council committee for not talking to the community. Nicholas Coombes has now invited the new manager to meet residents at the PaCT meeting.

Tesco intend to open the store in mid-February, but concerns remain about pedestrian safety measures. Tesco did not provide enough money for a zebra crossing, but the Tory council has settled for compromise road works allowing the shop to open. Your Liberal Democrat councillors are pushing for a full zebra crossing at this dangerous site.