Store gets licence despite objections

1:21pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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A SUPERMARKET has been granted an alcohol licence despite objections from residents.

German-owned Lidl will be opening a new store on Penge High Street despite there being no parking spaces.

Residents sent objections to Bromley Council because they are worried customers will park their cars in the narrow roads nearby.

Others are concerned the long opening hours will add to the problem of anti-social behaviour.

But at a licensing sub-committee meeting held on August 27 a licence was granted to allow the shop to sell alcohol from 7am until 11pm Monday to Saturday and from 9am until 6pm on Sunday.

Eight letters of objection were received by the council including one from the Alexandra Residents' Association saying the licence could contribute to binge drinking as well as traffic and noise problems.

The association's letter said: "We do have a no alcohol zone in the high street, and we feel this will make it increasingly difficult for this to be policed effectively."

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Tony Owens, a member of the licensing sub-committee which heard the application, said that the law did not take parking issues into consideration.

He said: "It's frustrating for residents. They say we don't take notice of them but we have to follow the law.

"I don't think they realise how restricted we are."

The councillor for Petts Wood and Knoll said the company had a good reputation and there was no evidence there would be a problem with selling alcohol.

He said: "Lidl is an international business and they have extensive training for their staff."

The store will be part of a scheme where employees at the tills will ask people for ID if they look under 21.