Norwich Morrison booze bid under fire

Plans by supermarket giant Morrison to increase the hours during which alcohol can be sold at its Riverside store have sparked objections from neighbours who fear it could lead to more anti-social behaviour.

Store bosses are seeking permission to sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm seven days a week, as well as Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Currently the stores licence permits the sale of alcohol from 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday including Good Friday, and 10am to 10.30pm on Sundays, while on Christmas Day the permitted hours are noon to 3pm. But three households in nearby Wherry Road have opposed in the plans.

In one submission to the council, Lesley and John Guy stated the proposal could lead to increased crime and disorder.

'There is more than sufficient time in the current opening hours for the purchase of alcohol,' they said. 'A socially responsible council should restrict the sale of cheap underpriced alcohol.'

Kathleen Clark, told the council the changes would encourage more youngsters to try and buy alcohol on their way to a night out in Riverside.

Another neighbour, Prue Dobison said: 'This is already a high density residential area, which lives in the shadow of the leisure facilities (clubs, cinema, pubs, restaurants, football ground) users. Already blighted by noise rubbish and unsafe behaviour, this proposal increases opportunities for additional alcohol misuse.'

Norwich City Council's licensing sub-committee is to consider the store's application at a meeting on November 30.

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