A convenience store’s bid to sell alcohol is set to go in front of Wealden councillors next week.
On Tuesday (June 4), a Wealden District Council licensing panel is due to consider an application seeking a premises licence for a new convenience store at 84a London Road, Hailsham — a building last occupied by a heating and plumbing company.
Through its application, the store is seeking permission to sell alcohol from 7am to 9pm, seven days a week.
The proposals are coming in front of the panel in light of objections from local residents.
Liberal Democrat ward councillor Glynn White, who lives nearby the site, is among those who have raised concerns. In a letter of objection, Cllr White said: “Amongst the many issues of concern is the noise, disruption and nuisance likely to be caused by customers coming and going, especially during the evening and weekend trading.
“This will include car engines starting and running, car doors opening and closing, customers conversing, car radios perhaps playing etc., all within a few feet of residents’ front doors and bedrooms. Due to the parking arrangements car headlights will create a disturbance and nuisance during dark evenings.”
He added: “The possibility of antisocial behaviour and other public nuisance cannot be ignored. Youths sometimes congregate at and on the nearby roundabout, behaving dangerously and playing ‘dare devil’, attracted by the seating and lighting there. The availability of alcohol in the immediate vicinity will surely increase the dangers further.”
Cllr White goes on to argue for shorter operating hours and suggests the store should remain closed on Sundays.
Similar concerns have been raised by two other local residents.
Notably, however, the application has seen more support than objections. Eight residents, whose names are redacted in the publicly-available council documents, have offered support for the scheme. Several of these supporters use similar wording, arguing the application is ‘sensible’ and would provide a ‘much-needed’ facility in the local area.
For its part, the store has offered several conditions for its operation. These include the use of CCTV and an agreement not to sell high strength (above 6.5 per cent ABV) beer, lager or cider.
It also says it will operate a ‘challenge 25’ policy, wherein anyone who appears to be under the age of 25 will be asked to provide photo ID before purchasing alcohol and other age-restricted items.
The panel will make a decision on the scheme after hearing from interested parties.
