Tesco is offloading 18 of the Stewarts off licence chain it owns in Northern Ireland. It plans to integrate 30 others with supermarkets but six will be kept for development. Philip Russell, which operates 40 off licences in the province, is a potential purchaser, although it looks unlikely all 18 stores will go to one buyer. Director Ray Browne refused to be drawn, but said it would be wrong to rule his company out. Tesco director Eric Bowen said the integration of the 30 stores was in response to customer demand: "It is more convenient for customers and permits logistical savings." The 18 off licences will be sold as going concerns with staff retained. Legislation in Northern Ireland means there is a finite supply of off licences with the price of a licence reaching £65,000. l Tesco is also selling a retail wine warehouse in Belfast and a large store in Bangor. {{NEWS }}

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