MORE than 80 people have signed a petition against the planned alcohol licensing hours at a proposed new Tesco Express store.

Tesco have announced they want to move into the former River Island unit, which is currently empty, in Winchester High Street.

But plans to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm on Monday to Sunday have angered some residents and traders.

Now Debby Gardiner, the owner of Cupboard of Health, in Little Minster Street, has launched the petition against the bid.

Ms Gardiner said: “We already have a couple of nice stores already for food but I recognise that Tesco are the only ones that can afford that space on the High Street.

“At least with the alcohol licence there is a chance to object. People are bothered by this, we already have anti-social behaviour problems in town with homeless people and others.

“It won’t make the city centre any more attractive for visitors, it will make it so much easier for the people to get alcohol and I think it is very likely to make anti-social behaviour worse.”

City councillor Guy Ashton said he welcomes Tesco coming to the High Street and said any decision on alcohol licensing is up to the licensing committee at Winchester City Council.

A spokesperson for Tesco said: “We are keen to open a store and serve customers in Winchester High Street, and to that end we have applied for an alcohol licence. We look forward to the council’s decision and to updating people on our plans in the near future.”