Outcry over Tesco off-licence bid

One Stop Stores, which is owned by Tesco, has applied for a licence to open a new branch at 355-357 Ecclesall Road, which would be open from 6am until midnight, seven days a week.

Almost 500 people have signed a petition protesting against the

proposed new shop, claiming that it would "increase the problem of late-night street drinking" and lead to "more drunk and disorderly behaviour."

Neighbours, local businesses and Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, have also written to Sheffield Council opposing the application, which is set to be decided by the council's licensing board at a meeting on Thursday, July 1.

Mr Blomfield said: "I have been approached by a number of constituents who live and operate businesses in the vicinity of these premises and they have alerted me to widespread public concern in the area.

"Many of the concerns relate to the number of premises already operating in the area and the impact of another one in relation to crime and disorder issues, public nuisance and safety."

Another objector, Dr Amanda Brindley, said: "This area is highly populated with students and, as such, is already very noisy with drunken students in the streets.

"Letting the students get more alcohol around the clock can only make the situation worse. There are more than enough shops in the area that sell alcohol until late."

Ecclesall Road is already home to a large number of businesses selling alcohol, including a 24-hour Spar shop and a Tesco Metro branch, which is just a few minutes' walk from the proposed One Stop Store.

Tesco, meanwhile, has already gained planning permission for a superstore on The Wicker which it is still yet to begin work on.

The supermarket giant, which has plans for a new store in Halfway, has also filed its third bid for a Tesco Express store in Commonside and is waiting for a decision on an extension to its 24-hour superstore in Millhouses.

Tesco currently has 16 branches in Sheffield, including 11 small

Express stores, three slightly larger Metro"stores and two huge supermarkets, one at Infirmary Road and one in Millhouses.

In January 2003 it took over the One Stop Stores brand from previous owner T&S Stores plc, which saw approximately 400 One Stop stores converting to the Tesco Express format.

More than 500 of the smallest shops, however, still trade under the name One Stop Stores.

Asaf Hussain, who lives in Ecclesall Road and has submitted a letter objecting to the latest application, said: "This shop will disturb my peace and quiet and will cause problems for myself and local residents.

"We already suffer from drunken louts late at night, making too much noise, singing and shouting loudly throughout the early hours.

"Evidently they have bought alcohol to drink in the street as we find empty cans and broken bottles in our gardens and on the pavement the very next day."

Mr Hussain added: "We hope the council puts the issue of the people first over the interests of large corporations.

"There are plenty of outlets in the area as there is already a Tesco less than two minutes' walk from this store. Why should they have another outlet for alcohol?"

A final decision on the licensing application will be made by members of Sheffield Council's licensing board at a meeting at 10am on Thursday at Sheffield Town Hall.

A spokesman from One Stop Stores was not available for comment.