A coffee shop chain part-owned by Tesco could start to sell beer and wine despite upsetting Richmond residents with similar plans last year.
Harris + Hoole chief executive Nick Tolley told the Standard that he has alcohol licences for three other stores in London, adding: “The motivation came from our customers who were saying it’s a pity you are closing at six o’clock at night, this would be a lovely place to have a glass of wine.
“We also want to have lots of community events in the shops and would keep the shops open late to do that. Having a coffee at seven or eight in the evening is the last thing people want to do, but having a glass of wine is.”
The three stores with licences are in Sunbury, Walton and North Finchley.
Last year the company incurred the wrath of residents in Richmond when bosses applied for a licence.
Police in the borough suggested the sale could attract street drinkers who would congregate at the nearby school. But Mr Tolley, who decided against pursuing the licence, said: “It was ridiculous. I couldn’t help but laugh at the suggestion we were going to be selling alcohol from 11am to local drunks who were then going to cause problems.
“I didn’t think what we were doing was that unusual or radical. The intention was never to turn into a Wetherspoons. What we wanted to do was going to be selling one or two fairly expensive quality craft beers and maybe one or two varieties of wine.”
Harris + Hoole rose to prominence last year, when it was revealed that Tesco had bought a 49 per cent stake.
But Mr Tolley insisted the supermarket stays at arm’s length and all decisions are made by the company, which is also part-owned by him and his brother and sister.
