BOURNVILLE'S BOOZY HANGOVER

26-02-2007

It's always been famous as a pub-free zone, but if Tesco gets it's way there'll soon be booze available throughout the day in Bournville. Presumably, the five off-licenses just up the road in Cotteridge simply aren't enough for the sozzled citizens of South Birmingham. Ken Jarrett reports on how the locals want to call time on the plan.

When more than 100 Bournville residents turned up at public meeting to discuss the proposed sale of alcohol at the new Tesco Express opening soon in Linden Road, the opposition was overwhelming.

Local councillor Nigel Dawkins chaired the event, which heard concerns about the booze-fuelled behaviour of young people causing criminal damage to parked vehicles (eg, damage to wing mirrors and spray paint, threatening behaviour, noise, littering, spitting, and other lewd behaviour.)

One resident raised the issue of younger children being either distressed by seeing this going on, or even worse copying it and adopting anti-social values themselves.

These are not idle fears; in nearby Cotteridge where under-age youngsters can be seen drinking on the streets and in the local park, alcohol-related vandalism has become a serious and persistent problem (seeour recent report here).

Other voices raised the issue of falling property values,while it was claimed Tesco Express couldalsoimpact adverselyon local traders in the area.

Perhaps the real focus should be on the number of outlets selling alcohol in the immediate vicinity. Five minutes drive from the new Tesco site there are more than half a dozen outlets selling alcohol. Yet there seem to be few restrictions on the ease with which proprietors can obtain a licence.

Nor is this situation unique - it appliesequally all over Birmingham.

So here's a simple suggestion that might just make a difference to the problem of anti-social behaviour, while at the same time allowing those who want a drink to have one.

Why not simply limit the take away sale of alcohol to before 1800 hours from ALL outlets. That includes supermarkets. Let's face it, it could hardly make the situation worse.