Cllr donald Baldey, of Northumberland Place, Teignmouth, writes:,

I have sent an e-mail to the licensing officer of Teignbridge Council objecting to the application by the Co-op store in Bank Street, Teignmouth, to extend its licensing hours from 8am to 11pm to 6am to 11pm seven days a week. ,

The letter has been rejected by the senior licensing officer for reasons I do not understand. ,

I can see no reason for the sale of alcohol at 6am on a Sunday or for that matter on any other day. As the Co-op does not currently open at 6am, I am puzzled as to why they need to serve alcohol at that hour.,

The Teignbridge website states that alterations to licensed hours are considered a minor alteration and that objections must not be vexatious or frivolous. ,

On behalf of the residents in the town centre I can say that this is where much of the anti-social behaviour resulting  from  excessive drinking occurs. I believe we have a right to object to sales of alcohol at such an early hour, and certainly do not consider my objections to be either vexatious or frivolous. ,

As I am also a town councillor I believe I  have the right to represent the views of East Teignmouth ward residents and to be listened to by Teignbridge Council.,

The government's concerns about the developing binge drinking culture has resulted in a proposal  to stop supermarkets from selling alcohol at sub cost prices and introducing minimum prices. But perhaps we would be better off, if alcohol was only sold in liquor shops and public houses, as is the case in Australia and the United States. ,

In any event TDC needs to pay attention to local residents' (tax payers) needs and concerns and gauge whether its response is in line with current government policy. ,

As a member of Camra, the campaign for real ale, I am very aware that the closure of so many public houses is being accelerated by cheap sales at the supermarkets of cheap and strong alcoholic drinks which appear to have the objective of enabling the purchaser to get drunk quickly.THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR DIGITAL EDITION