A SUPERMARKET’S grand opening has been postponed, due to highways issues.

The Tesco Express store in Mutton Lane, Potters Bar, was supposed to open its doors on Wednesday (February 3).

But on Monday the supermarket giant revealed it would not occur until, hopefully, “sometime soon”.

A spokesman told the Potters Bar Edition: “We are very dissappointed with the delay.

“The approvals are to do with the delivery access on the roads around the store and we are working with the local authority [Herts Highways] to sort this.

“Once agreed we will be able to proceed.”

The store was granted an alcohol licence by Hertsmere Borough Council on Thursday.

The council’s licensing sub-committee agreed to the licence – allowing booze to be sold daily from 6am to 11pm – with two conditions:

n To extend Tesco’s minimum 21 days for retaining CCTV images at the store to 31 days.

n For Tesco to join the borough’s new Off-Watch scheme.

Two members of the public opposed the licence.

Resident John Wainwright, of Borough Way, Potters Bar, felt the licence would increase anti-social behaviour in the town.

At the meeting he said: “There are already two other alcohol outlets in close proximity and no demand has been demonstrated for yet more.

“Councillors don’t tend to take much notice of people like myself and tend to favour big businesses, but I feel as a resident it is my responsibility to speak out.”

However, Jeremy Bark for Tesco, said: “We have excellent relations with the police and we have a great record of supporting ASBOs.

“We do not accept we are irresponsible in terms of alcohol.”

As the licence was agreed, Mr Bark thanked the committee and the residents who opposed for their input.

The Tesco Express store will open from 6am until 11pm, seven days a week.

It will feature a range of fresh, chilled and frozen products, a health and beauty range, bakery, alcohol and a cash machine.