SUPERMARKET giant Sainsbury’s has bowed to public pressure and abandoned plans to extend the licensing hours of its Sidcup branch.

The chain was applying for permission to extend its licence for its Local store in Blackfen Road to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

But it amended its application at the 11th hour, going against its nationwide strategy to extend licences at stores across the UK to be able to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

The original application was rejected because of police and residents’ concern over anti-social behaviour.

According to a Sainsbury’s spokesperson, the company will continue to push for 24-hour licences across the country, but on this occasion were forced to concede after "pressure from police and local people".

The new application has now been amended to allow Sainsbury’s to sell alcohol from 6am until midnight.

According to Bexley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee the police and environmental health officers have withdrawn their representation following the amendment.

The council will now write to all parties who objected to the original application to see if their objections still stand.

Sainsbury’s is also applying for a 24-hour alcohol licence for its Crayford store. Asda in Bexleyheath is also seeking permission to serve alcohol from 7.30am to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and on Sunday from 10am until 10 30pm.