CIVIC chiefs have approved extending the licence of a Southampton newsagents despite residents’ warnings it will spoil the area.

But McColl’s will effectively cut its alcohol-selling hours in Bedford Place by closing a shop down the road, the company said yesterday.

Southampton City Council approved extending the opening hours at number 71 from 8am to 7am, Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to 7am on Sunday.

Long-time resident and campaigner Lorraine Barter said she wanted to protect the area as it is more attractive than the surroundings of the old shop, which she described as a “seething mass of vomit, crime and urine”.

She said: “Because it’s so attractive and old fashioned and quite beautiful, I don’t think the location of 71 and having these extra hours is appropriate, welcome or a good idea.”

She added that plans not to employ security guards filled her with 'utter horror'.

Roy Light, representing McColl’s, said: “It isn’t music and dancing, it isn’t a variation for alcohol, it’s quite a modest variation of an hour in the morning and a little bit more than that on a Sunday.

“The fact the police are not objecting is very important, and nor are any responsible authorities, nor are many people from the area.”

McColl’s originally applied to serve from 6am but this was changed to 7am at police request.

The shop which is due to close already sells alcohol from 6am till 11pm. Conditions imposed include refusal to serve drunk people, a ban on selling single cans, CCTV and incident logs.

Cllr Don Thomas said: “We’ve got one licensed premises less, and the premises we’re talking about now is going to be serving for an hour less, from 7am rather than 6am [at the old store].”