Neighbours, nearby businesses, police and council officials have objected to an application to sell alcohol at a new convenience store at a former post office site.
As a result, Brighton and Hove City Council plans to hold a licensing panel hearing to decide the matter.
The application was submitted by Eyad Mwoas, 45, who wants to sell drink from 8am to 11pm at 80 Islingword Road, Brighton, trading as Islingword Convenience.
The licensing panel hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday 29 April when a panel of three councillors is expected to decide the application.
Mr Eyad also owns Pop In Shop, in West Street, and the Village Convenience Store, in South Street, Portslade.
The new premises is in an area which, the council said, was already saturated with businesses selling alcohol.
As a result, the council has a policy of refusing new off-licences in the area unless the operator can show exceptional circumstances.
One anonymous objector, whose details were redacted by the council, is the owner of a rival off-licence and lists seven other nearby off-licences as well as a taproom and numerous pubs.
The objector said: “In my experience, the cumulative impact of these premises contributes to issues such as street drinking, anti-social behaviour and alcohol-related nuisance, particularly during the evenings.
“The premises is also located close to Lewes Road, an area which is well recognised by the council as experiencing problems associated with a high density of off-licences and alcohol-related issues.”
Another anonymous nearby business owner who also objected said: “The area has a significant student population which can increase late-night activity and alcohol-related disturbance.
“This adds to concerns regarding public nuisance and disorder.”
Both also raised concerns about the nearby primary schools and a nursery.
An anonymous resident was worried about potential under-age sales and asked for assurances that the council had checked Mr Eyad’s record as a licence holder.
The neighbour. whose details were redacted, said: “The shop used to be a post office and was previously denied a licence to sell alcohol.
“There is already a shop just up the road which has always sold alcohol and so I see no reason why we need another.”
Sussex Police objected to the application because it would add another business selling alcohol close to The Level and Lewes Road.
An anonymous police officer, whose name was also kept secret by the council, said: “Increasing the availability of alcohol could have a further negative impact within an area that already suffers from crime and disorder.
“There is also the risk of alcohol being consumed within open spaces increasing anti-social behaviour and proxy sales to children and alcohol-dependent persons.”
The anonymous officer cited statistics within a radius of about 600 yards, includings Lewes Road and The Level, suggesting that there were 232 violent crimes, 232 thefts and 43 public order offences over the previous year.
In the immediate area, within a radius of less than 400 yards from the business, there were 33 violent crimes, 24 thefts and six public order offences in the same period.
Council licensing officials objected to the application because it breached policy.
The licensing panel hearing is scheduled to be webcast from 10am on Wednesday 29 April.
Maybe the councillors would like to walk from Lewes rd to the top of Islingword Road and then realise they are a long way apart.
So the objectors would prefer an empty building, or maybe a barber, nail shop or more vapes?
Or it could be converted back to residential? Goodness knows, Brighton needs more residential property.
I expect they would prefer a convenience store that doesn’t sell alcohol.
That old post office was not allowed to sell alcohol and the location of these premises, is next to a pub on one side that is open for around 12 hours a day most days, and on the other side a doctors surgery, local pharmacy and a fast food place that’s just had a hygiene rating of 0. And 160 meters just up from this location, on Queens Park Road is a Londis that has been selling alcohol for years.
I don’t live in the area but know it well due to relatives living close to the area and using the old post office, doctors and pharmacy regularly.
If the council, Licensing & planning committee grant this… then this is just ridiculous.
Why is every convenience store that pops up in and around Brighton & Hove, automatically think they can apply for an alcohol licence when previous businesses have been denied.
We have enough people in and around the city with addiction issues.
There really is no need for this to be up for debate or discussion. It should be a No and that be final!
Surprise surprise, another booze palace on the way
lewes road and the level! imagine you are on the level or lewes road and you want a beer and you say “no i wont go to a shop that is near me i will climb a really steep hill to get one”! that is a ridiculos objection!