Drinking fears over new Sainsbury's in Wolverhampton

The firm is set to open a Sainsbury's Local, which will create up to 25 new jobs, on the site of the former Quarter House pub in Compton Road.

Bosses have applied to sell alcohol between 6am and midnight seven days a week but a council licensing committee will be asked at a meeting on Monday to restrict the sales to between 8am and 10pm each day after the police and members of the public raised concerns about the move.

One resident of nearby Crawford Road wrote: "As a local resident I welcome the redevelopment of the old Quarter House Pub site but would like to object to the proposed alcohol sale times. I feel that between the hours of noon and 10pm to be more appropriate, especially given the local problem and street drinkers and the hostels nearby."

And a letter from West Midlands Police says: "Many of the properties in this area have been converted into hostels and accommodate for people who are alcohol dependent." They fear drinkers could start eralier in the day and into the night.

Sainsbury's has said that it will install a CCTV system which will cover the main alcohol display area and that adequate levels of staff and security will be maintained at all times. Signs would ask people to leave quietly at night.

Planning permission for the scheme has already been granted and includes the building of a veterinary practice on the site as well.