A new Tesco in Brighton is set to unleash an Orwellian new rule on its staff members as the company looks to impose a radical curfew to limit the purchasing of a major type of item.
The store only could receive council permission to sell alcohol if it agreed to a long list of controlling conditions, including keeping beverages behind a screen, training staff every 12 weeks, employing a door supervisor during licensing hours, as well as even forcing two staff members, a security guard and their team leader to wear body-worn cameras while on shift.
Though the council objected to the alcohol licensing at first, the supermarket chain assured the city council that the store – located along Western Road – would not exacerbate alcohol-related issues in the surrounding area.
Following discussions with Sussex Police, Tesco later accepted the rules set out by the council, which will allow the store to sell drinks from 8am to 10pm every day.
The store will be located in Brighton’s city centre (Stock)
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In its initial rejection, the Brighton and Hove Council argued that Tesco failed to demonstrate that the store’s ability to sell alcohol would not increase problems that were already prominent in the area.
They also failed to demonstrate to illustrate how the store ought to be exempt from the policy, which is permitted in “exceptional circumstances”.
The council’s decision letter, according to the BBC, said: “We rely on the police to be the council’s main source of advice on matters relating to the promotion of the crime and disorder licensing objective.
“Their lack of objection together with agreement of unusually onerous conditions leads us to conclude that they do not anticipate that this application will add to the problems of cumulative impact in the area.”
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At a council licensing panel on October 21, three councillors – Julie Cattell, Lucy Helliwell and Tobias Sheard – granted the licence.
Tesco has assured the council that the store’s alcoholic drinks would be placed “beyond arm’s reach”, separated from customers behind a plastic screen.
As part of the agreement, the chain has said that it would not sell beer or cider with a percentage than 6 per cent alcohol by volume (ABV), although this does not apply to craft or speciality drinks.
Throughout the process, Tesco claimed that it had a “good neighbour ethos” and would sell the drinks in a “responsible manner”.
Throughout the process, Tesco has claimed that it had a “good neighbour ethos” and would sell the drinks in a “responsible manner (Stock)
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Western Road – where the new store is located – has suffered from a “saturation” of nearby premises, which also sell alcohol, according to statements from the council.
The chain has said: “Tesco is a large national operator, with a range of head office and local support.
“The company has devised policies, procedures, systems and training to ensure that they sell alcohol in a responsible manner.
“There is a detailed programme which ensures that comprehensive training is provided to employees having regard to their role and the responsibilities and such training is regularly reviewed and the records kept.”