Friday November 28th 2025
Former bank building in Musselburgh High Street is to become new convenience store
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Claims allowing one more store to sell alcohol in a town centre plagued by antisocial behaviour would push it to ‘tipping point’ were dismissed by licensing chiefs this week.
An application for the, as yet unopened, new shop on Musselburgh High Street, faced opposition from other local businesses who feared it would add to an ongoing problem with antisocial behaviour in the area.
East Lothian depute provost and local ward councillor Andy Forrest also objected on behalf of residents saying the area was plagued with ‘working age adults street drinking’.
He told a meeting of East Lothian Licensing Board that the county’s biggest town, with a population of 22,000 already had on average one alcohol licence issued for every 644 people living in it.
And he expressed surprise after Police Scotland chose to make no objection the the new store being given an off sales licence saying officers regularly had to confiscate booze from people.
He said: “I know we have had police officers going up and down the High Street, taking alcohol off people and tipping it out. I know that has been going on so there is a problem within the High Street.”
“My main reason for objecting is that we have an over provision of licence for this shop and everything, I feel, in the Musselburgh area at the moment which is causing concern for residents.
“We currently have one off sales licence for every 1400 people in a population of 22,000 in Musselburgh. If I take all the licence including restaurants, public houses and off sales into account, we have a licence for every 644 people.”
“As a nation we are trying to limit the damage that alcohol does. I would welcome this shop if it didn’t apply for a licence, it is the licence part I object to and I think this one will be the tipping point which will move us over from what we have.”
However agent Alastair McDonald , representing SK Family Ltd, who are planning to open the store in a former bank on the street, challenged the claim saying: “I don’t understand why one more in these circumstances would be the tipping point. The fact is this is not an area which has been identified by the board as an area of over provision, it is a high street and it is going to be where the concentration of licensed premises are.
“If there are issues there already then it is up to operators, not just our clients, but all of them to work together, to help each other and report to each other, work with the police and the licensing officer. If that is the case there is nothing to say this premises will contribute to any greater issues.”
Earlier in the meeting Mr McDonald had outlined how the new store aimed to be more than the usual convenience shop with wider aisles, a dessert counter and the sale of American and Korean food included in its plans.
He said most of the objections lodged against the new licence was from ‘trade’ including a local Specsavers, Costa and Greggs adding the new operators were keen to work with other businesses to support the local area.
Giving his backing to the licence, board member Councillor John McMillan praised the ‘responsible management’ plans in place for the new store and said that while he took on Councillor Forrest’s concerns about over provision the ‘balancing act of that is people have a choice”.
He added: “I think this well help the high street and help provide residents with choice.”
The board unanimously approved the licence.
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