A new wine store is set to open in Ealing despite objections raised by locals and the Walpole Residents’ Association.
Majestic Wine will open at 92-96 St Mary’s Road in Ealing, replacing National Tyres which previously operated on the site. The drinks company has over three dozen stores across the city, with premises nearby in Chiswick and Shepherd’s Bush. It previously had a branch in West Ealing,
The company plans to transform the St Mary’s Road premises into a warehouse-style high-end retailer. The shop will not only sell wine, but beer, champagne and spirits too.
It will operate across two floors, with only the ground floor accessible to the public. The store will not be permitted to allow alcohol consumption on site.
Ann Chapman objected to the proposals on behalf of the Walpole Residents’ Association. She told councillors that she was concerned about the late opening times causing significant disturbance for local residents.
Majestic Wine will operate between 8am and 11pm daily. Ms Chapman told councillors that she would be open to compromise on the concern, putting forward that the store could close two hours earlier, and open later on Sundays.
During the hearing, the legal representative for Majestic Wine told the committee that the company uses Deliveroo at its store – allowing customers to order wine directly to their home. Ms Chapman flagged this as a cause for concern, arguing that it could harm vulnerable people.
Ms Jenna Jackson Julius also objected to the application. In a written representation, she argued that the store’s proximity to local parks (Lammas Park, Walpole Park) combined with late-night bulk alcohol sales could promote excessive drinking, loitering, and drunk driving.
She also raised alarms about the noise impact of late-night customers, car traffic, and alcohol deliveries on families living on St George’s Avenue. These concerns were not shared by councillors on the committee who voted unanimously in favour of the proposals.
Returning the decision, Councillor Rima Baaklini said: “The subcommittee accepted that the representations made by Ann Chapman and Jenna Julius were relevant… however it was found that those objections were expressed in general terms and were not supported by specific evidence…
“The subcommittee was satisfied that grant of the licence as applied for was appropriate and proportionate, and that refusal or the imposition of additional conditions… was not necessary.”
