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 S

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