A decision over whether to approve a recently opened Asda Express store’s bid to sell alcohol has been delayed.

A Hartlepool Borough Council licensing sub-committee meeting had been scheduled for Thursday, March 21, to decide on the hours the shop, located at a petrol station in Easington Road, could sell alcohol.

Applicant Euro Garages had initially sought permission to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but subsequently stated it wished to instead apply for the amended hours of 6am to midnight each day.

However it was agreed following talks with the applicant to adjourn the meeting until a new date in early April.

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The hearing is due to be held as concerns have been raised over the application by Cleveland Police, who note the site is in “a residential area and also in an area which already suffers alcohol-related anti-social behaviour”.

Council licensing chiefs also responded by noting their policy states shop applications to sell alcohol “before 9am or after 10pm in residential areas will generally be refused”.