CHIGWELL: Former Woolies to become supermarket? (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

CHIGWELL: Former Woolies to become supermarket?

4:16pm Tuesday 1st September 2009 in News By Isabel Jensen

PLANS to turn a former Woolworths store into a late-night supermarket have concerned residents, who fear it will encourage under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour.

The Manford Way store has remained closed since the chain went into administration in January.

Rumours had circulated among local business people that the store could be brought by supermarket giants Iceland.

Now plans have been submitted to Redbridge Council to turn the site into Nisa supermarket, which will sell food, alcohol and stationery until 9pm during the week.

Redbridge Council has already begun to receive letters of complaint from worried residents who are concerned that it will encourage rowdy teens to hang outside and intimidate passers-by.

Mrs Lesley Hanks, of Hazlewood Park Close, said: "The priority for our local policing team in Hainault ward is to manage anti-social behaviour by groups of youths and youths loitering.

"This license, if given will surely undermine those efforts, send mixed messages to youths with regards to buying alcohol, and cause more problems for locals."

Many added that there are already several outlets selling alcohol in the small parade of shops.

Mrs Betty Morton, of Romford Road, said: "There are four drinking outlets in this small parade of shops and there have been many disturbances and the police called. The supermarkets sell without responsibility."

Even the council's own community safety team has objected to the plans.

Ed Chaplin from the council's anti-social behaviour team said: "At this specific location, there is evidence of street gatherings of large groups of youths who are intimidating passers-by. There is evidence of high levels of shoplifting at premises in Manford Way.

"There is a high incidence of street crime and street robberies in Manford Way, also under-age drinking and associated low-level anti-social behaviour."

The plans are due to be discussed by Redbridge council's licensing committee tomorrow night (Wednesday, September 2).