A SUPERMARKET giant’s plans to sell alcohol until midnight have sparked anger in a Southampton community.

As previously revealed in the Daily Echo, Morrisons plans to transform the empty former Blockbuster building in Portswood into a new convenience store.

And the company has applied to the city council to sell alcohol at the site from 6am to midnight, seven days a week.

The news comes after the Daily Echo revealed yesterday that three Co-operative Society stores in Southampton have also applied to extend the hours they can sell alcohol in.

The firm says the new Morrisons M store next to Waitrose in Portswood Road would bring 15 to 20 jobs to the area.

The company’s plans to sell booze until midnight will be deliberated on by the city council’s licensing panel today, and have come under attack for having a potentially serious impact on the quality of life for residents.

Portswood councillor Adrian Vinson, pictured, has objected to the plans, alongside fellow ward councillor Matthew Claisse.

Cllr Vinson said: “Portswood already has more than its fair share of places with licences to supply alcohol, and indeed convenience stores.

“Morrisons’ application for a licence from 6am until midnight is far longer than any other store in the area and will seriously affect the quality of life for local residents.

“I would hope that the licence will be refused, but if it isn’t, it should certainly be given for significantly reduced hours.”

A number of other residents have also objected to the proposed hours. Portswood Resident Gardens’ Trustee and resident John Coffey said: “We already have problems with drunken behaviour (including noise, litter and damage to property) and granting the licence will encourage yet more.

“The proposed number of opening hours is greater than those allowed at present for any other local outlet.

Granting this application will lead inevitably to applications for an extension of opening hours in these other outlets.”

Other residents have criticised the opening hours as “excessive”, while there are also concerns around traffic at the junction of Portswood Road and Brookvale Road.

A spokesman for Morrisons said: “We are aware of some concerns from residents about our plans and hope to address them at the hearing today.