A Croydon grocery store has applied for an alcohol licence, but some people are against it.

Srirooban Santhiralingham applied to Croydon Council for a licence to sell alcohol at Costsaver Superstore on 100 Beulah Road in Thornton Heath.

Srirooban has asked for the selling of alcohol to be held between 7am and 11.59pm from Monday to Saturday, and 9am to 11pm on Sunday.

In order for the application to be approved, the applicant must meet four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

Srioorban stated in his application that “CCTV will be installed to monitor entrance, exit and other parts of the premises in order to address the prevention of crime objective".

It adds: "A clear and legible notice outside premises indicating the normal hours.

“No selling alcohol to drunk or intoxicated customers.

“Staff will be well-trained in asking customers to use premises in an orderly and respectable manner and prevent drinking alcohol at the retail unit.”

In order to maintain public safety, Srioorban assured Croydon Council that staff will be trained to adhere to environmental health requirements and that there will be ID checks.

Srioorban promised that “noise reduction measures will address the public nuisance objective” through “prominent, clear and legible notices” which request the public to “respect the needs of nearby residents and to leave the premises and area quietly”.

Finally, Srioorban assured the Croydon Licensing Sub-Committee that Challenge 25 will be implemented in the store.

Challenge 25 is a retailing strategy that encourages anyone who is over 18 but looks under 25 to carry an acceptable ID.

However, despite the application outlining their adherence to the four licensing objectives, Croydon Police Licensing Team objected.

PC Woods from the Police Licensing Team said that approving the license will have a “detrimental effect on the area”.

PC Woods said that approving the license would “have the potential to increase the already significant anti-social behaviour issues, which have been highlighted by the local Safer Neighbourhood Team and nearby residents in recent years”.

While the Police Licensing Team didn’t object to public safety, they did object to the other three objectives, particularly the protection of children objective.

PC Woods said: “100 Beulah Road is located next door to Beulah Junior School and Beulah Infant and Nursery School.

“It is also opposite a local Scout group, which operates three nights a week.

“In terms of immediate proximity to children, this premises will be the closest of all premises on Beulah Road.

“Allowing another licence to operate next door to the schools and opposite a Scut Group will adversely affect these youth offerings, again, having a detrimental impact on the wider community.”

PC Woods also said that Beulah Road has a “persistent problem with street drinkers” who often hang around outside the licenses there.

He said these drinkers tend to drink large quantities of high-strength alcohol throughout the day and “cause problems and general friction with members of the public”.

He added: “Reports of a group of intoxicated people, mainly males, blocking pavements, playing loud music, causing distress to other users and even urinating in the street in common places.”

Beulah Road has five existing off-licenses already, and PC Woods felt a sixth one was unnecessary.

Croydon Council Licensing Sub-Committee is expected to decide whether to approve or reject the license on Tuesday, October 8.