Anger over shop’s plan to sell booze until 2am

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

West London residents have railed against a shop’s plans to sell alcohol until 2am, as they fear street drinkers will cause more chaos in the neighbourhood.

Earl’s Court Food and Wine lodged an application with Kensington and Chelsea council in November, despite fierce backlash from residents.

The store can already sell booze until midnight – and 1am during the summer months.

But residents and shop owners fear granting the licence will lead to an increase in crime and drunken behaviour in an area already plagued with problems. 

Annet Tamminga told a Kenginston and Chelsea licensing committee that allowing Earl’s Court Food and Wine to sell alcohol past midnight would “further contribute” to issues in the area.

She said: “As a resident who frequently uses the Earl’s Court Tube station late at night I strongly object to the licence application. 

“Facilitating the purchase of alcohol will further contribute to the increased antisocial behaviour in and around the Tube station. I frequently see drunk people, drug addicts, people getting involved in fights in and around the station.”

Philipps Seebohm, from the Earl’s Court Village Residents Association, said: “Our residents consist of the elderly, young families and professionals who have no need to purchase late night/early morning alcohol. There are several hostels for vulnerable people in this area. 

“Earl’s Court Road has particular sensitivities; street drinkers, drug addicts, beggars and rough sleepers. The easy temptation of early morning alcohol availability is not conducive to the serenity of the local community. It sends the wrong message.”

Kensington and Chelsea council is set to decide on the shop’s licencing application on January 19. 

Earl’s Court Food and Wine and its owners have been repeatedly contacted for comment but did not reply by the time of publication.

Pictured top: Earl’s Court Food and Wine (Picture: Google Street View)