Tesco Branch in Brighton Granted Alcohol License with Strict Provisions

A new Tesco store located in Brighton has received an alcohol sales license, despite initial opposition from the local council. The supermarket retailer convinced Brighton & Hove City Council that its express outlet, situated on Western Road, directly across from Churchill Square, would not exacerbate existing issues related to alcohol in the vicinity. This establishment is scheduled to commence operations at the unoccupied premises of 194 Western Road, Brighton, previously occupied by Currys, positioned between Costa and Marks and Spencer. Alcohol sales will be permitted daily from 08:00 to 22:00. According to the council’s official decision letter, Tesco committed to adhering to rigorous conditions following negotiations with Sussex Police. The stipulations attached to the premises license mandate that alcoholic products must be kept behind a barrier, staff members must undergo training every 12 weeks, and a door supervisor must be present during all hours of operation for which the license is valid. A minimum of two employees, specifically a security guard and a team leader, will be equipped with body-worn video recording devices. The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that the decision letter stated: “We rely on the police to be the council’s main source of advice on matters relating to the promotion of the crime and disorder licensing objective.“Their lack of objection together with agreement of unusually onerous conditions leads us to conclude that they do not anticipate that this application will add to the problems of cumulative impact in the area.” The council’s licensing department had previously indicated that establishing an additional venue for alcohol sales within the bustling city centre would contravene its established licensing policies.