street drinking
Councils are currently deciding on alcohol sales licences, often balancing business applications with resident concerns about street drinking.
Hounslow Council's Licensing Panel recently reduced alcohol sales hours for a Tesco Express in September 2026, following resident objections citing concerns about public nuisance. This follows Hackney Council's Licensing Sub Committee E extending alcohol sales hours for a supermarket in June 2026, despite police concerns about increased street drinking.
Brent Council's new high street strategy, discussed in July 2026, aims to tackle street drinking in town centres as part of broader revitalisation efforts. Meanwhile, Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee considered an application from Aldi in March 2026 to begin alcohol sales an hour earlier.
Street drinking, the act of consuming alcohol in public spaces, is often associated with anti-social behaviour. Licensing panels frequently consider applications for new or varied alcohol sales licences, with decisions often influenced by concerns from residents and authorities regarding potential impacts on public order.
Key facts
- Hounslow Council's Licensing Panel restricted alcohol sales for Tesco Express on Whitton Road to 09:00-22:00 (Mon-Sat) and 10:00-22:00 (Sun) in September 2026. Source 1 Source 2
- Residents lodged 26 objections and a petition with 23 signatures against the Tesco Express alcohol licence application in Hounslow in September 2026. Source
- Hackney Council's Licensing Sub Committee E extended supermarket alcohol sales hours by one hour in June 2026, despite police concerns. Source
- Brent Council's high street strategy, discussed in July 2026, aims to tackle street drinking in town centres. Source
- Aldi applied to Westminster City Council in March 2026 to begin selling alcohol from 7 am on weekdays at its Edgware Road store. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.