Police oppose booze at Twickenham branch of Harris + Hoole

Mark Halton, a member of Richmond's police licensing team, said that he is concerned access to beer and wine at the café between 11am and 10pm, seven days a week, could lead to street drinkers congregating on street benches close to a nearby junior school, reports The Times.

"This will increase the likelihood of young children witnessing drunkenness and urinating in the street," said Halton, who is also angered by Harris + Hoole's failure to provide "insufficient details" about their plans.

Nick Tolley, chief executive of Harris + Hoole said that the suggestion of antisocial behaviour was far removed from the company's ethos and would abandon the sale of alcohol if the police concerns were realised.

Harris + Hoole's plans to trial the introduction of alcohol at its branches in North Finchley in north London and Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, before extending it to Twickenham if council approval is given.

Yesterday the company, which was founded by Tolley and his younger siblings Laura and Andrew, announced that it has closed its struggling Ruislip site less than a year after opening. Tesco owns 1 49% stake in the business, which now has 21 units.

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