WINCHESTER City Council has granted a licence for a new deli in Parchment Street.

The shop, Bodega, was this week given permission to sell wines, beers, champagne and liqueurs and will be open from 8am-9pm Monday to Saturday and 12noon-6pm on Sundays.

The application by owner Michele Ames was set to go to a council licensing committee last Tuesday (Jan 29) because of an objection by Parchment Street resident William Sclater.

But Mr Sclater withdrew his application last week which meant the licence was automatically approved.

Council licensing and registration manager John Myall said: “Legislation states that if there are no representations from any parties against the licence then it must be granted and I have no discretion on that. So after the objection was withdrawn the committee was not necessary."

The application originally included the playing of live and recorded music and dance performances.

But this was withdrawn following changes to the law which allows live music between 8am and 11pm without need for a license, while recorded 'background' music can be played without a licence as it is regarded as 'incidental music'.