Supermarket giant Tesco has taken on Cardiff Council in a bid to sell alcohol in its St Mary Street store.
The case put forward at Cardiff Magistrates Court this morning, is an appeal against the decision taken by the council's sub licensing committee in November 2009 to reject Tesco's application for a licence to sell alcohol.
Objections were received from South Wales Police and councillor Elizabeth Clarke regarding the application due to the amount in crime and disorder related to alcohol consumption already prevalent in the location.
St Mary Street in Cardiff City Centre is well known as the destination of choice for many late night revellers coming into the city from the suburbs and further afield. The busiest times in the area are between 11pm and 5am.
But magistrates Peter Bailey, Hazel Leaky and Mike Cuddy heard today Tesco believes the licence would not contribute to irresponsible alcohol consumption, and would not exacerbate problems in the area.
Representing Tesco, Mr Jeremy Black said: "We suggest the cumulative impact policy does not apply. The majority of premises in the area are part of the late night economy, but there are very few off licences."
The appeal is based on the conditions Tesco will only serve alcohol between 12pm and 8pm, will not serve sherry or 'alcopops', and alcohol would be placed in sheltered cabinets on the shop floor.
Representing Cardiff Council, Mr David Callow said: "The policy is that the authority will not commit to any further licences to be in St Mary Street."
Greg Barclay, national licensing manager for Tesco, said in his witness statement: "The conditions will enable the store to sell alcohol responsibly. I do no think if a licence was granted it would impact on the area."
The court heard Tesco would negotiate with the police authority on whether to sell alcohol on match days. The decision to not sell sherry was due to research showing the drink was popular with on-street consumption.
Witness Mark Hughes, head of Tesco express in Cardiff, told the court the target customers for the store were business workers in the city centre passing by on their way home who may like to pick up a bottle of wine to go with their meal. Hughes did not think the store would encourage so-called 'pre-loading' where people visit the store to buy cheaper alcohol before heading to pubs and bars.
Raising objections to the appeal, witnesses Police Inspector Anthony Bishop, Councillor Elizabeth Clarke and Suhail Ahmed from Spar will be speaking this afternoon.
I will bring you the report and the verdict later today.
