CONSULTATION on plans to sell alcohol at a new Sainsbury's branch will close tomorrow.

The supermarket chain submitted an application to Oxford City Council for a premises licence, to allow it to sell alcohol between 7am to 11pm, seven days a week.

The application concerns a unit that is currently empty, on the ground floor of the Royal Oxford Hotel in Frideswide Square.

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If the licence application is approved and fitting of the store goes to schedule, the shop could to be open by the end of summer.

It would replace the former Bamboo restaurant, which shut last year.

Councillor John Howson

had already expressed concern about the shop selling alcohol during big football matches or major demonstrations

, as fans and protesters would pass the shop heading from Oxford station into the city centre.

He said he hoped the council would impose a restriction to ban the sale of alcohol on such days, to reduce the risk of drink fuelling 'crime or disorder.'

To comment, search the council's website for application reference

19/01502/PREM.