BOURNVILLE UNITES AGAINST BOOZE BAN

19-03-2007

Residents of Birmingham's famously “dry” suburb of Bournville gathered on Saturday to unite in protest against a plan to sell alcohol at a new Tesco Express store in the area.

As we've reported previously on The Stirrer, nearby Cotteridge has been plagued by a spate of anti-social incidents over the last few months, associated in many cases with booze-fuelled youngsters (see our most recent story here).

Perhaps co-incidentally - perhaps not - there are more than half a dozen off-licenses, supermarkets and even newsagents selling liquor in the area, prompting claims that with such fierce competition, a blind eye is being turned to under-age drinkers.

Drinking on the street and in the local park has been banned in the area - including the street where the Tesco Express is situated - but the police are so stretched the law is regularly flouted.

News that booze might come to Quaker-influenced Bournville is so sensational, there was even a German TV crew present for Saturday's protest on the local village green.