A SUPERMARKET has won its bid to convert a pub into a convenience store with a licence to sell alcohol all day.

Hundreds of residents, traders and politicians raised a petition and deluged the local authority with more than 90 letters objecting to the plans to turn The Castle into a Tesco Express.

Because of a planning loophole pubs can be converted into stores without planning permission.

The new store in Witts Hill, Midanbury, which is set to open in early May, will be allowed to sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm.

Bosses have promised a raft of measures to allay police concerns about it become a magnet for trouble including fitting CCTV, employing a security guard and a doorman in the evenings as well as a well trained manager.

Customers who look under 25 will be asked for identification to prove they are over 18.

A city council licensing committee meeting was attended by about 40 residents, who all objected to the licence.

Steve Summers, of Litchfield Road, Southampton, said: “By granting and extending a late licence to Tesco you will be guaranteeing an increase in crime and anti-social behaviour.”

John Clark, who runs JGU property managers opposite the new store, said: “We manage a large number of properties in the Midanbury estate and we are concerned about the welfare of our tenants. In the past our properties have had fences damaged and walls pushed over late at night by revellers.

“The later the availability of alcohol the more the damage will occur.”

But licensing committee chairman Carol Cunio said that all the licensing requirements had been fulfilled.

She said: “We have to abide by the licensing laws. If there is any trouble you can ask for a review.”

Speaking afterwards protest leader Mary Finch said: “I think if we had not stood up there they would have got the midnight licence. It would have set a precedent for all other shops and off licences.”

A boycott of the store has not been ruled out.