The Marks and Spencer store in Southend city centre is seeking to make changes to its premises licence. 

The popular High Street shop has asked Southend City Council for permission to “licence the customer café for on-sales and to amend the current conditions”. 

Marks and Spencer’s current premises licence states that alcohol cannot be sold in an open container or be consumed in the premises.

The store's licencing application to the council appears to show the business wants to sell alcohol in the customer cafe.

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It states: "Sales of alcohol for consumption off the premises will not be sold in an open container."

Southend City Council received the application on March 20 and representation must be received by April 17.


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This move by the retailer appears to be a national change, as other councils across the country such as Ipswich and Tunbridge Wells have received similar applications from the brand.

The council will decide on the application.