PLANS for an Asda Express at a petrol station in Taunton have come up against opposition from a couple who live nearby.

The company has applied to Somerset Council for permission to sell alcohol 24 hours a day seven days a week from a mini store it plans to open in the Shell premises in Priory Bridge Road.

The application submitted by Euro Garages Limited states the premises already trades 24 hours a day.

It adds that if permission is granted it would simply enable the store to display alcohol products for sale alongside household goods and groceries when the premises are converted to an Asda convenience store - expected to be in March.

But the couple have written to Somerset Council saying the current shop at the filling station "is forced to close at 8pm at present due to shoplifting and minimal staff”.

READ MORE: Asda Express set to open in Taunton petrol station.

They also believe the supply of alcohol after midnight is "most certainly going to cause problems with noise and possible drunkenness” in a residential area.

Representatives of the plans have proposed a compromise ahead of the application being debated by the council's licensing sub-committee meeting on Friday (January 5).

In a message to the council, they say: "My client always strives to be a good neighbour and, notwithstanding the fact that the police do not object to a 24-hour licence to sell alcohol, my instructions are to offer to reduce the hours for alcohol sales to 6am until midnight every day if this means that the representations will be withdrawn and we can avoid the time and expense of the hearing on 5th January."

But they add that the offer only stands on condition the two neighbours agree to back down.

They said: "If we proceed to a hearing, then my instructions are to proceed with the application for 24-hour off sales of alcohol.”

The Asda convenience store will stock hundreds of branded and own-label products including ‘top up’ essential items such as milk and bread, and people will be able to grab lunch on the go or buy items to cook dinner from scratch.

 

An Asda spokesperson previously told the County Gazette: “We’re incredibly excited to be bringing our Asda value and quality to the Taunton community with the conversion of the shop site.

"The roll out marks an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.”