A derelict premises at the end of a residential street could become an off-licence despite concerns from neighbours about anti-social behaviour.

Selvarajah Nimalan, who already operates a convenience store in Sidney Street, Folkestone, has been granted a licence to trade alcohol at a second location in Broadmead Road.

Neighbours living close to the proposed shop expressed their opposition to the plans, telling the Folkestone and Hythe District Council licensing sub-committee they already experience issues with drunken behaviour and drug dealing in the areas.

"We feel that having a shop at this location selling alcohol until this time will only add to the problem," they warn.

But Mr Nimalan says that although he understands their concerns, he is keen to be a good neighbour when the store opens later this year.

In his application for the licence, he wrote: "Any persons causing a nuisance will be asked to move on to prevent causing issues to our neighbours or pedestrians.

"We will check the outside of the premises routinely to ensure that there is no rubbish caused by customers from our store.

"I want to prove it can be run without any problems..."

"Challenge 25 policy in place and all staff trained to uphold this. Age verification will be requested if in doubt of a person’s age."

Despite having his desired hours of selling alcohol cut from 6am-11pm to 11am-11pm by the committee when it met on September 6, he says he will not appeal against the decision.

"I understand their concerns," he said. "But I want to prove it can be run without any problems.

"I have got a shop in Sidney Street, which is residential, and there's no problem at all.

"Not everybody was going to come at 6am, just people after night shifts."

Mr Nimalan says he is now just waiting for approval for converting what were two shops into one larger premises.

He says he hopes to be open in time for Christmas.

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