SAINSBURY’S bosses have promised Ottery their Hind Street store will not become a 24 hour shopping venue.

The supermarket giant has asked the district council for permission to remain open all day and night - and to sell booze from 6am to midnight – sparking fears for other traders.

But Ottery’s mayor labelled any such talk was “scaremongering”.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said the firm’s first East Devon store would be open from 8am to 8pm.

He added: “We would like to assure the community that Sainsbury’s has no intention of selling alcohol or operating outside of our regular opening hours.

“Sainsbury’s has applied to be able to trade outside these hours to cater for occasions such as Christmas and Easter, should there be a local need. This is standard for all our stores across the country.”

Town, district and county councillor Roger Giles is sceptical of the move and vowed to “vigorously oppose” a licensing application he branded “totally inappropriate”.

He said: “These proposals constitute unfair competition with other traders, and would be very likely to result in disturbance to residents and an increase in anti-social behaviour.”

Mayor Glyn Dobson said: “The town council contacted Sainsbury’s to enquire about opening hours and they told us it won’t close any later than 10pm. Other talk is just scaremongering.

“We’ve been told it’s not going to open for 24 hours and all we can do is hold them to their word.”

The last date for residents to have their say on the licensing application is today (Friday, August 12).

Register your view at licensing@eastdevon.gov.uk.