Published: Friday, 5th September, 2008 11:00am

Residents and businesses' fears over new Tesco plan

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Councillors and residents at the meeting in Risc about the plans for a new Tesco in Crown Street
Pic by: Rose Harland

BINGE-DRINKING, traffic and the death of local business are among the fears of residents opposed to a new Tesco shop in Reading.

Around 50 people attended a meeting to discuss plans for a Tesco convenience shop in Crown Street, where the Fun 'n' Frolic fancy dress shop used to be.

The premises in Crown House, which has nearly 100 student flats above it, already has permission for use as a shop and Tesco have applied for a licence to sell alcohol 6am-11pm, seven days a week.

Speaking at the meeting, resident Elizabeth Steele said: "I'm very concerned about the potential disorder. When students celebrate, they often come out in a gang and go to the cheapest place possible so they can tank up. They shouldn't aggravate the situation by having too much booze in the area."

There were also concerns that selling cheap alcohol would be unwise considering the problems with street drinking around St Giles' church at the bottom of Southampton Street and the presence of sheltered housing for people with addictions.

Other fears included the lack of parking and increased traffic, noise from deliveries or late opening and the proposed cashpoint acting as a magnet for muggers.

Resident Edward Hammand added: "A shop would starve out all local competition so that if anyone wants to buy anything, they will have to go to them. There will be nothing left."

The only further permission the shop needs is licensing to sell alcohol and planning permission for signs and air conditioning fans on the outside of the building, giving residents few legal grounds to object to the plans.

The deadline to submit objections to the alcohol licence is next Thursday, September 11. Call Reading Borough Council on 0118 939 0900.

The meeting, organised by Lib Dem ward councillors, also discussed plans for councillors and residents to speak at the licensing committee meeting and to submit objections to planning applications when they are made.

Mr Hammand added: "It seems scandalous that this is the only mechanism that we have to complain."

The Chronicle has not yet had a response from Tesco.

What do you think about plans for a Tesco in Crown Street? Would you shop there? Have your say below.