Marks and Spencer food hall will ‘add to anti-social behaviour in Dalston’

Marks and Spencer is planning to open a store in the new development. Picture: Google Maps Archant

Plans for a new Marks and Spencer food hall in Dalston could be thwarted by the council’s public health chiefs, who say the sale of booze could create anti-social behaviour problems.

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The upmarket chain wants to open a new branch at the bottom of 57 East, the new development next to Dalston Kingsland station.

But the town hall’s public health officers have objected an alcohol licence bid, saying booze-related incidents and assaults could increase.

The Rio Cross Residents’ Association, a group of locals, also wants the trading hours of 8am to 11pm scaled back. “We are concerned this will add yet another source of alcohol in an area already over-supplied with off-licences, with the risk of adding to anti-social behaviour right in the heart of the Dalston special policy area,” they said.

Rio Cross also says it could threaten small businesses in the area.

Councillors will vote on the application on Tuesday.