Tesco seeks alcohol license for new Upwey store
Around 50 people have written to Dorset Council objecting to the plans.
Last updated 12th Apr 2022
Fifty people have objected a Tesco application for an alcohol licence for its new store on the former Mazda Garage site in Dorchester Road, Upwey.
Whether or not the company gets the licence will be decided at a public hearing next week.
Tesco is asking the licensing committee to approve late-night refreshment sales from 2300 to midnight and off-sales 0600 to midnight every day.
Most of the objections say they worry about anti-social behaviour which could be associated with the sale of alcohol, additional parking and traffic and late night noise.
In its application Tesco says that it has devised policies, procedures, systems and training to ensure that their stores sell alcohol in a responsible manner and that it will have CCTV which will cover the whole store.
It adds: “The company has a “good neighbour” ethos which seeks to ensure that the premises plays an active part in the local community.”
The new store will be just 18 by 23 metres with side access to nine parking spaces and a loading bay at the rear of the property.
One resident, from Miles Gardens, opposite the store, site has written to Dorset Council’s licensing team to say: “I strongly oppose it having a license and especially for the hours your notice states! we already have significant issues with teenagers drinking and smoking in the children’s park opposite and this will make it even worse as well as the increased traffic to the area will devalue our houses and this is not acceptable. I will demand compensation if this is allowed to go ahead and will sue the council if they allow this to happen.”
Said another: “The area is occupied by mainly elderly people who will not only get their sleep disturbed with the noise but no doubt with the less respectful section of society buying, drinking and depositing alcohol and causing a disturbance in the immediate vicinity…
“The road is a busy thoroughfare for residents and a bus stop is situated immediately outside the premises; this will cause shoppers to seek parking in Miles Gardens opposite. This will also cause extra driving hazards and inconvenience due to shoppers using Miles Gardens as a parking and turning area. The area is well provided by Broadwey Village Stores a few hundred yards walk away. The provision of such a store as a Tesco Express will not only impact on the immediate neighbourhood in a detrimental way but will also impact on the above village shop. We are already well provided for in the area.”
The application is to be heard by a panel on Tuesday April 19th at 10am in the Council Chamber at County Hall and should also be available to view online.