A CONVENIENCE store’s bid to sell booze from 6am near Southend seafront would cause “severe damage to residents” and be a “risk” to children, a councillor has claimed.
Nilani Jaeyakumar has applied to sell alcohol at his shop, in Plas Newydd near Eastern Esplanade, from 6am to 11pm.
Ms Jaeyakumar claimed during a licensing hearing yesterday it would seem “unprofessional” not to be able to sell alcohol with morning newspapers.
The applicant had previously turned down a request by licensing officers to sell alcohol from 8am instead and also to prevent unaccompanied children going into the shop after 9pm.
Ms Jaeyakumar told the hearing that no under-age teenagers would be allowed to purchase alcohol but officers feared youngsters congregating on the beach could be tempted to try and steal alcohol.
After hearing the concerns she agreed not to sell alcohol until 8am and to prevent children entering the shop alone after 9pm.
Nevertheless officers and councillors objected to the application over parking and noise issues for nearby residents.
Southend Mayor, Ron Woodley, Independent councillor for Thorpe Ward, said parking was already an issue in the area. He said: “There won’t be safe parking that close to a very busy main road. Delivering newspapers at six every day, that’s seven deliveries without any food deliveries that will take place.
“We know it’s a residential area, we know there is parking stress, we know especially in the summer there’s additional stress. We’re here to protect the interests of our residents and I’m afraid this application does not protect the residents. It will cause severe damage to their environment and risks to children in the area.”
Susan Badger, Independent councillor for Thorpe Ward, told the applicant she would also be affected by parking issues.
She said: “If you were granted a license I think you will find being in that area is very frustrating and very difficult. There is very high parking stress.”
Paul Pearce, environmental health officer, said: “With the opening hours being presented, I am concerned noise will be introduced into the area from motor vehicles approaching and leaving the store, the revving of engines, slamming of car doors, and using car stereos.
“Environmental Health had no alternative but to object.”
Ms Jaeyakumar will be informed of the committee’s decision within five days.
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