A petrol station that has been newly occupied by Asda Express in Ascot has applied to become the only business in the area to be able to sell alcohol for 24 hours a day.

Asda Express has recently taken over the Esso Spar garage in Ascot High Street as part of a nationwide expansion.

The company is currently allowed to sell food and alcohol at the fuel station between 7am-11pm each day.

Now Asda Express has applied to sell alcohol at all times of the day and night, and sell food and soft drinks from 11pm to 5am each morning.

This has led to concerns about late-night alcohol sales and increased traffic in the town.

Councillor Julian Sharpe (Conservative, Ascot & Sunninghill) said: “We don’t have other premises in the area having that licence, I’m not sure why we would want to have a garage wanting to sell alcohol and refreshment at all times.

“It’s an increase of the late-night economy.

“Why would you want to give a garage the ability to do that if everywhere else is closed?”

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If the application is approved, the Asda Express would be the only place in Ascot that sells alcohol after 2am.

The Zeus Ascot bar opposite the petrol station closes at 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, and at 10pm on weekdays.

The nearby bar Falak Royal closes at 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and before midnight on weekdays.

Cllr Sharpe added: “Really I don’t see the need for it, Ascot is a quiet place at night mostly, and we don’t want the additional traffic that might cause.

“Other premises are all on main roads and not in the middle of towns, it would be more appropriate to have it elsewhere.”

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The application for late-night alcohol, food and drinks sales has been submitted to the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead’s licensing department.

You can view and comment on the application by typing reference 107226/LAP01 into the Royal Borough’s planning and licensing portal.

Cllr Sharpe said that he and Sunninghill & Ascot Parish Council will be making representations.

Asda does not comment on live applications.