McColl's Ascot store allowed to sell booze after RBWM decision

McColls, which will set up on Brockenhurst Road, will be allowed to sell booze from 6 am to 11 pm after council bosses gave store managers permission.

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This comes despite Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) guidelines suggesting alcohol should not be sold by off-licences until 9 am.

A petition with 275 signatures was presented to RBWM bosses asking them to say no to the new hours, along with 24 objections.

One neighbour wrote: “As a local resident I am concerned regarding the sale of alcohol from this unit for such extended hours.

“I am not sure it is ever necessary to buy alcohol so early in the morning or so late at night?

“I am concerned that due to the position of the shop next to our lovely village green the sale of alcohol could lead to the congregation of young people, anti-social behaviour or petty crime.”

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The petition, which was created by rival business ‘Swinley Stores’, suggested the store would ‘destroy peace around the village’.

Shopkeepers told councillors they plan to deal with any trouble from street drinkers by using CCTV, training staff every six months, a Challenge 25 policy and more.

RBWM’s planning department objected to the proposals as the store is registered as a restaurant, meaning it would need to switch to retail permissions to operate as a shop.

RBWM bosses heard from these representations at a meeting to decide on the new hours on Tuesday, October 1.

Councillors decided to grant the licence several days later after being satisfied with the measures in place from McColls.

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The store will be open and will be able to sell booze from 6 am to 11 pm seven days a week.