A new Richmond convenience store has applied for an alcohol licence, but some people have said it would “increase crime and alcohol addiction”.

Sabra Convenience Store Limited applied to Richmond upon Thames Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol at 117 Station Road in Hampton.

The applicant has asked for the selling of alcohol to be held between 7am and 11pm every day.

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.

Sabra Convenience Store has assured the council that they will meet each criterion.

When it came to the prevention of crime and disorder, the applicant has stated: “A CCTV camera system capable of providing good quality images in all lighting conditions shall be used.

“Images will be retained for a period of at least 28 days and be made available within a reasonable timeframe to the police upon reasonable written request for evidential purposes.”

No specific risks were identified under the public safety criterion.

In order to meet the criterion of the prevention of public nuisance, the applicant stated that “deliveries to the shop will be arranged during hours which will not lead to any public nuisance”.

They added that “a notice will be displayed asking customers to leave the shop quietly and not to drop any litter on the floor”.

Staff will also monitor the area immediately outside the shop on a regular basis to check and dispose of any rubbish.

The applicant also assures that they will adhere to the protection of children from harm by having the Challenge 25 system enforced and the appropriate signage on display.

They added: “Alcohol will only be sold to people who can satisfy or prove to the seller that they are 18 years old or over.

“The only acceptable form of ID will be a passport, photo driving licence, a PASS accredited proof of age card, or other form of photo ID as recommended by Trading Standards.

“A refusals register (for the sale of alcohol) will be used and be made available for inspection by responsible authorities.

“A notice shall be displayed in the premises where they can be seen clearly to advise customers that it is unlawful for persons under 18 to purchase alcohol or for any persons to purchase alcohol on behalf of a person under 18 years of age.

“All staff selling alcohol will be trained on the prevention of underage sales.

“Training will be delivered on a regular basis (every 12 months) and records will be made available for inspection by Authorised Officers.”

However, despite these assurances, some people have objected to the applicant’s submission.

Local resident Helen Louring Jensen objected, stating: “We have absolutely no need whatever of further alcohol outlets in the area.

“Especially not ones which wish to sell alcohol at absurd times of day like the early mornings.

“This would increase the already growing hours of antisocial behaviour in the area as well as facilitating and promoting alcohol addiction.”

Resident Matthew Burns objected to the plan of all-day and late-at-night alcohol selling, and said it would result in “crime, disorderly behaviour, public nuisance, and a risk to children”.

Matthew added: “The store is a short distance from Ganders Green, the sale of alcohol at such a late time at night would not only increase the risk of litter within the area, but also antisocial behaviour and noise, particularly during the warmer times of the year as people gather on the green.”

The site is also close to a children’s playground, and resident Nicholas Bradley expressed his concerns about the sale of alcohol being so close in proximity to the store.

He said: “I urge the licensing authority to reject the application on the grounds of protection of children and the danger of increased public nuisance resulting from the consumption of alcohol on the green, where the playground is located.”

Finally, resident Julia Gateley said: “Hampton is a quiet residential area.

“Allowing licensing premises with such long opening hours will lead to increasing antisocial behaviour.

“There is no need for further premises to purchase alcohol.

“There is a shop in Station Road that sells alcohol but also groceries, so is of benefit to the community.
“There is another located near Station Road, which has long been known where teenagers buy alcohol under age.

“We do not need anymore.”

Councillors in the Richmond Council Licensing Sub-Committee will decide whether to approve or reject their application by Monday (November 18).