Tesco secures exemption for late trading

SUPERMARKET giant Tesco has been granted an exemption to allow it to keep trading late, but it failed in its bid to be given a late opening licence, which was not due to be considered for several months.

The supermarket had been forced to apply for a temporary exemption to continue trading at its Hermiston Gait store after 11pm, after its lawyers forgot to put the necessary permits in place before it opened last month.

Sighthill, Broomhouse and Parkhead Community Council had lodged objections.

These were dismissed and the exemption granted.

But Tesco's lawyer attempted to go one step further and ask the council to grant it the full late hours licence there and then.

He said: "This would save considerable time and resources, and would be in the interests of expedience. We apologise for the previous error in not applying for the licence prior to the store opening. Everybody makes mistakes."

Councillors were advised that to grant the full licence would be in breach of the Local Government Act. Tesco's request was refused.