MORE than 80 people have signed a petition against the licensing alcohol hours of a new Tesco Express store in Winchester.

Tesco have announced they want to have a store in now empty former River Island unit in the High Street.

However, their plans to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm on Monday to Sunday have angered some local residents.

Debby Gardiner, owner of Cupboard of Health in Little Minster Street, launched the petition after finding out about Tesco's plans.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Ms Gardiner said: "I learnt by word of mouth that this was going to happen and the information about Tesco coming, which I do not feel is compatible with the nice historic nature of the city centre.

"We already have a couple of nice stores already for food but I recognise that Tesco are the only ones that can afford that space on the High Street.

"At least with the alcohol license there is a chance to object, people are bothered by this we already have anti-social behaviour problems in town with the homeless and others.

"It won't make the city centre anymore attractive for visitors, it will make it so much easier for the people to get alcohol and I think it is very likely to make anti-social behaviour worse."

The petition which has only been going for less than a week is available to sign in Cupboard of Health and they aim to hand it to council chiefs at the start of July.

City councillor Guy Ashton said he welcomes Tesco coming to the High Street and said any decision on alcohol licensing is up to the licensing committee at Winchester City Council.

Cllr Ashton said: "I think it is fantastic that a name like Tesco wants to be part of the high street that's really encouraging and it adds to diversity of the High Street.

"As for alcohol, the licensing committee will look into it and make a decision."

A spokesperson for Tesco said:“We are keen to open a store and serve customers in Winchester High Street and to that end we have applied for an alcohol licence. We take our responsibility as responsible retailer of alcohol seriously and as part of any application we engage with local stakeholders and responsible authorities, including the Police and Trading Standards, and are in the process of discussing the application with them."