Locals fight plan to serve booze

Feb 22 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

CAMPAIGNERS in one of Birmingham's most well-known booze free communities are battling to stop a major supermarket selling alcohol just a stone's throw from the dry zone.

Worried residents in Bournville, which has no pubs or off-licences, fear youths will get hold of drink and cause trouble if a new Tesco Express petrol station sells beer and spirits.

They believe noise, graffiti and vandalism will all increase if the store gets the green light to sell alcohol from 7.30am to 10.30pm in the Linden Road shop.

The shopping giant has already been given the go-ahead to build a forecourt with petrol pumps, outside lighting, and parking.

Bournville councillor Nigel Dawkins, a member of the licensing committee for Birmingham, said: "If Tesco is allowed to stock alcohol it will lead to under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour.

"Only a few weeks ago they were caught selling booze to under-age kids at a store on Hurst Street and now they are coming to our neighbourhood to take advantage of the nearby drink free zone.

"They don't care about the effects on the community and are just moving in to make their bucks."

Within walking distance of the planned site is St Francis's Church Youth Centre where volunteers run special evenings four times a week to keep teenagers out of trouble.

Close by is Kings Norton Girls' School, Bournville Junior and Infants School, and Cadbury's World.

Alan Shrimpton, director of estates for the Bournville Village Trust, said: "For decades we have made sure there is everything from schools to sports facilities for the people of Bournville and the only thing we don't want is public houses or licensed premises."

Community leaders and residents will meet at the United Reform Church, Beaumont Road, this week to discuss the threat to both alcohol free zones at Cotteridge shopping centre and Bournville Green.

A spokesman for Tesco said: "We look forward to serving the residents of Bournville.

"The store will be outside the restricted zone and we will be stocking a wide variety of items to cater for everyone."