WANSTEAD: Last-ditch attempt to stop Tesco 'killing' High Street (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WANSTEAD: Last-ditch attempt to stop Tesco 'killing' High Street

10:14am Wednesday 1st April 2009 in

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TRADERS and shoppers have launched a last-ditch attempt to scupper Tesco’s plans to move in to Wanstead - by urging the council not to grant the chain an alcohol licence.

Embattled businesses and residents fear the supermarket giant will “destroy” the High Street when they open a new shop there, and fear the chain’s cut-price booze deals could encourage binge drinking and anti-social behaviour.

Nearly 600 people have already signed a petition urging the council to stop Tesco, which wants to sell alcohol between 6am and 11pm seven days a week on the High Street.

James Vandepeer, manager of Harvey’s greengrocer’s, said: “We are all absolutely horrified by it.

“There’s a nice village feel around here, lots of established, independent businesses - there’s nowhere else in London like it. But Tesco is going to kill all of that. It’s diabolical.

“And they’ll be selling cheap alcohol till late at night and it’s going to cause trouble. Everyone who cares about Wanstead should support this petition.”

Nish Pau, manager of Londis, said: “All the shops will be affected. Of course as traders we have a biased view but customers will end up not having any choice where to shop if this carries on.

“There’s already Tescos in Woodford Green, at Charlie Brown’s roundabout and in Leyton.”

Ashley Gunstock, Green Party spokesman for Redbridge and one of the campaign’s leaders, said: “If Tesco is denied an alcohol licence it will help prevent an increase in binge drinking and it will level the playing field for all the other shops.

“We don’t want Wanstead becoming a one store town.”

Billie Figg, of the Wanstead Society, said: “We are very nervous about the impact this is going to have.

"We already have enough places to buy drink in the High Street and this is also going to increase the availability of cheap liquor.”

Redbridge Council are powerless to prevent the shop opening, but can deny an alcohol licence if they judge the plans could have an impact on the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, public nuisance and/or the protection of children from harm.

A decision is expected to be made at a hearing of the council’s Licensing Sub Committee, which will be held on Friday April 24 at 1.00pm in Ilford Town Hall Ilford, although the deadline to make representations has now closed.

Conservative Cllr Sue Nolan will be making representations on behalf of the Wanstead Society at the hearing.

She said: “They are objecting strongly to drinks on the street and I will put their concerns and views across.

"Obviously as local councillors we are concerned about all residents' views and take their comments very seriously."

A spokeswoman for Redbridge Council said: “any individual application for a licence will be considered on its merit and whether it complies with the four licensing objectives.”

The petition is still available at several shops on the High Street and there will also be a stall this Saturday outside Somerfield between 11am and 1pm.

A date is still to be set for the opening of the new store.

Tesco were unable to comment at the time of publication.