Residents of an historic "dry" community founded by Quakers are celebrating after winning a battle to prevent Tesco selling alcohol near their homes.
Birmingham City Council rejected the supermarket's application for a licence to sell alcohol at one of its "express" stores near the Bournville area of the city.
It has been completely free of pubs and off-licences since it was founded by Quaker chocolate baron George Cadbury in the 1890s.
The supermarket wanted to open an off-licence on the edge of the Bournville Village estate, but councillors decided this could make existing problems of anti-social behaviour and underage drinking worse.
Nigel Dawkins, the councillor for Bournville who has led opposition to the licence, said: "This is a fantastic result. This shows Tesco that they have to talk to communities and they cannot just walk over them. It feels pretty good but the victory is a victory for Bournville."
Tesco have ruled out an appeal against the decision, but said the chain might re-apply in future.
More than 1,000 residents signed a petition objecting to the proposed licence, and a coachload of protesters descended on Birmingham Council House for the hearing.
A sustained round of applause from residents greeted the decision to refuse the licence.
The supermarket had applied for a licence to sell alcohol from 7.30am to 10.30pm at a new Tesco Express convenience store just 50 yards from the edge of the Bournville Village Estate.
The estate was designed by Cadbury as a utopian community for workers at his chocolate factory, without the temptation of alcohol - and strict regulations have made sure it has remained "dry" ever since.
