Row between O2 Academy and Tesco over supermarket alcohol sales times

Applicants Tesco are set to open a new shop on Portland Crescent, round the corner from Leeds’s O2 Academy in the city centre, and has asked for permission to sell alcohol every day from 6am-midnight, for consumption off the premises.

A representative of Academy Music Group, which operates the O2 Academy, wrote that Tesco’s opening timings coincide with their closing time, and could lead to antisocial behaviour in the early morning

The letter stated: “The O2 academy is a very well-established venue for gigs and clubnights and has been trading now for over 12 years.

“The proposed Tesco store will be situated to the rear of the O2 Academy on Portland Crescent, which is used as an area for customers queuing before entering the venue.

“The particular concern of our clients is that the addition of a new off-sales outlet in such close proximity to the O2 Academy will inevitably cause considerable difficulties to our clients in managing Tesco customers who choose to drink alcohol while queuing to enter the O2 Academy venue, or try to secrete alcohol they have purchased from the Tesco store while seeking entry to the club.”

It added that the 6am start time for alcohol sales coincided with the finish time for the alcohol licence at the O2 Academy, suggesting this would do “nothing to assist in the quiet and orderly dispersal of customers”.

The letter ended with a request to alter Tesco’s alcohol sales hours to 7.30am-10pm each day.

The area also falls within one of the city’s cumulative impact areas, in which it is more difficult to gain a licence due to the high amount of alcohol-related crime or anti-social behaviour in an area.

The application form submitted by Tesco stated: “The company has devised policies, procedures, systems and training to ensure that they sell alcohol in a responsible manner.

“There is a detailed training programme which ensures that comprehensive training is provided to employees having regard to their role and the responsibilities and such training is regularly reviewed and appropriate records kept.”

It added the site would have an appropriate CCTV system in place, and that it was confident of complying with public safety obligations.

It added: “The company has a “good neighbour” policy which seeks to ensure that the premises play an active part in the local community.”

Leeds City Council’s Licensing Sub-committee will meet on Monday. March 1 to decide on the application.