Tesco drops bid to sell booze from 6am

The retailer had applied for permission from the council to extend its licensing hours to serve alcohol from 6am at its Tesco Express store on Ansdell Road, and from 7am at its store on Whitegate Drive.

But police, health and licensing chiefs as well as community groups had objected to the proposals which they feared would add to anti-social behaviour in two of the resort’s most deprived areas.

Tesco responded by withdrawing its application for Whitegate Drive, and amending its application for Ansdell Road just to allow the sale of alcohol from 8am until 11pm on Sundays (the same times as during the week) and to remove the special hours for Christmas Day and Good Friday.

A town hall hearing to consider the application today (Tuesday) was cancelled after the council agreed the amendments.

Sharon Davies, head of licensing at Blackpool Council said: “As a result of these amendments the representations have been withdrawn and the hearing cancelled.”

A spokesman for Tesco Express said: “As part of any application we listen to feedback and engage with local stakeholders and as a result of this we have made significant revisions to the applications.”

Critics had warned the move would worsen the drink problem in the town, which has the highest rate of alcohol-related hospital admissions in the country.