High Street Mini Mart, a new convenience store in Chislehurst, is facing opposition from local residents over its application to sell alcohol from 6am to 11pm every day. The store, located at 26 High Street in the former Bela Fashion boutique, has applied for a new premises licence, but Bromley Council's licensing sub-committee will review the application on Friday, October 16, following objections from four residents.
Residents raise concerns over street drinking and antisocial behaviour
All four residents who objected expressed concerns about the sale of alcohol early in the morning and late at night, fearing it could increase the likelihood of "street drinking" and "antisocial behaviour" in the area. One resident stated, "I feel that selling alcohol that late into the night is going to be problematic. There is already ample provision for buying alcohol from Sainsbury or the post office shop in the evening and both shops are within a short walk of the said premises."
The resident added, "I have witnessed late night street drinking in the high street, around the pond area and in the recreation ground and would urge you [the licensing sub committee] to deny this application." Other residents noted that the proposed licensing hours are longer than those currently permitted at Sainsbury's, with one arguing that granting an alcohol licence until 11pm "will therefore cause unnecessary late night disturbance to the area and is likely to encourage anti social behaviour."
Police suggest conditions to mitigate risks
Daniel Madigan, the Metropolitan Police's licensing officer for Bromley, said he is "satisfied" with the proposed hours but recommended several conditions to promote licensing objectives. These included maintaining a CCTV system and not selling beer, lager, or cider above 6.5 per cent alcohol by volume, except for premium, specialist, or imported products.
Applicant Dashu Pandey accepted these conditions, but the council's licensing sub-committee will still review the application at its meeting on Friday due to the residents' objections. The sub-committee has the authority to grant the application in full, amend the licensable activities, impose additional conditions, or refuse the application entirely.
Background of the premises
The premises at 26 High Street was previously occupied by Bela Fashion, a boutique that closed in April after nearly 50 years in Chislehurst High Street. The shop's owner, Bela Cochrane, stepped down at the age of 92, paving the way for the new convenience store venture.
The licensing decision will be made by Bromley Council's sub-committee, which will weigh the residents' objections against the applicant's accepted conditions and the police's recommendations.
