Protesters bitter over booze sale row

Mar 1 2007 By Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

PROTESTERS in Birmingham today accused council chiefs of underhand tactics which favoured store giant Tesco.

More than 100 angry families were fuming when they were refused extra time to finish a petition against the planned alcohol licence for Tesco's store in previously-dry Bournville.

When Coun Nigel Dawkins complained on their behalf, his protests fell on deaf ears, and campaign letters and emails had to be sent to the council voicing fears over anti-social behaviour.

With the midnight deadline approaching on February 26, a last gasp attempt was made to get more time.

But when a resident checked the Tesco sign outside the site, he was astonished to see the deadline was stated as March 1.

Coun Dawkins, who fears a booze-fuelled increase in anti-social behaviour in Bournville, said: "We were rushing round getting as many people to write e-mails quickly.

"When we realised Tesco's mistake we contacted the council, who finally gave us the extra few days. But this has left us in a real mess now - the council is clearly favouring Tesco."

A council spokesman offered no explanation for the confusion, but said: "The licensing authority is acting in accordance with legal advice from solicitors."

Tesco's legal statutory notice ended on March 1 so people could submit objections until that date, he added.