Protests as Tesco gets booze licence
Reporter: Lewis Jones
Date published: 08 December 2010
OLDHAM Council granted the new Greenfield Tesco a licence to sell alcohol — despite strong fears from locals that it will lead to a rise in antisocial behaviour in the village.
Local councillors and residents objected to the application at a licensing panel meeting yesterday, but their concerns were not enough to stop permission being granted for sales between 7am and 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am and 4.30pm on Sunday.
David McNeeney, chairman of the Greenfield and Grasscroft Resident’s Association, disputed the requested hours, which will allow the store to sell alcohol an hour earlier than other local retailers.
He argued that each of the 16 checkouts will be a point of sale in the village, adding an extra hours of alcohol availability.
He said: “If the superstore was genuine in its approach to the community it would have considered modifying the hours.
“In Greenfield we had 60 to 80 youths gathering in the village over 18 months and the antisocial behaviour was horrendous, we had people urinating in doorways and violence.”
He said the new licence could exacerbate the situation.
Councillor John McCann echoed his sentiments, along with Saddleworth resident Robin Todd.
A Tesco representative assured the panel that staff receive extensive training and pointed to the company’s Think25 policy, which ensures staff verify the ages of all customers who look under 25.
Representatives from the store, which opened on Monday, also argued that a close link with the local police and high expectations of behaviour in store would ensure no detrimental effect will be had on the community.
The store also agreed to take advice from the police about the sale of alcohol during the band contest weekend.
Store manager Anna Wisniowski said: “We do have a business to run, but the local community has concerns and we will make sure we deal with any issues. I’m confident we can do it.”
The panel asked Tesco to liaise with local police, and look into the possibility of installing CCTV on the car park.
