'Dry' community oppose Tesco alcohol bid in UK

Residents of a historic “dry” community founded by Quakers are taking on the might of Tesco over plans to sell alcohol near their homes in the UK.

The supermarket giant has applied for a licence to sell alcohol at one of its “express” stores on the edge of Bournville, Birmingham, which has been completely free of public houses and off licences since it was founded by Quaker chocolate magnate George Cadbury in the 1870s.

If granted, the licence would allow the store to sell alcohol from 7.30am to 10.30pm, seven days a week.

Locals fear a surge in anti-social behaviour if the licence is granted, and more than 100 attended a meeting last week to voice their disquiet.

Alan Shrimpton, director of estates for the Bournville Village Trust, said: “Feelings are running high. People are very, very concerned that it’s going to exacerbate the problem of young people getting hold of alcohol and causing trouble.

“What we’re trying to achieve here is a sustainable community. That’s what George Cadbury set up here more than 100 years ago, and we would be concerned about anything that would threaten that.

“It would spoil Cadbury’s dream of a model community.”

Mr Shrimpton said it was not a question of being “anti-Tesco”, but of preserving Bournville’s unique identity.

He said: “We’ve nothing against Tesco, but we are trying to create a nice place to live. People like living here, and they don’t want alcohol causing anti-social behaviour and nuisance.

“It’s all about control and management for the betterment of people. If people want freedom of choice, they can go somewhere else.”

Though the Tesco Express store in question is actually 50 yards outside the boundary of Bournville village, Mr Shrimpton insists the licence would ruin the area’s historic sense of identity.

Bournville resident Louise Naylor, a mother of two, told the Birmingham Mail: “We moved here because it was quiet and safe so we could bring up our children in peace.

“There are already gangs of older children hanging around on dark corners and if they get the chance to drink booze it’s just going to fuel more anti-social behaviour.

“Graffiti and litter will get worse and we will be scared to go out of our own homes.”

In a written statement, Tesco said: “There are a number of establishments near to this area that already have a licence to sell alcohol. Additionally, the new Tesco Express is not within the village.

“It is also worth noting that, as well as the reported objections, there has also been support for our application.”

Birmingham City Council’s licensing sub-committee decides on Tesco’s application at a hearing on March 26.