WHILE agreeing with DS Meek’s letter, “Stop Tesco” (HAS, Feb 18), regarding the impact that a proposed Tesco Extra store in Sacriston, County Durham, will have on a large number of the existing businesses, it is an unfortunate consequence of living in a capitalist free market economy that large corporations wish to grow by increasing their outlets where they think a profit can be turned.

My main concern, however, is that presumably Tesco will ask for a licence to sell alcohol.

Sacriston currently has 32 retail outlets, if you include public houses and social clubs, of which 11 hold licences to sell alcohol.

In a village already blighted with drink-related misbehaviour, particularly among the young, and various areas strewn with the debris of underage drinking, I would urge the planners to look very carefully not only at this mooted development, but all licence applications.

I am not suggesting Tesco is not a responsible organisation.

In fact, most people know how seriously all supermarkets take compliance with age restriction regulations.

I just don’t want another store with youngsters of 13 and 14 queued outside pestering passers-by to purchase drink for them or waiting for their friends of 18 to 21 to come out with the “legally” purchased liquor.

B Jackson, Sacriston, Co Durham.