Residents in protest on booze

A large group of worried Lichfield residents have staged a protest outside a town centre petrol station which is seeking permission to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

The Shell Garage, in London Road, has applied to Lichfield District Council's licensing and consents appeal committee to sell booze around the clock, seven days a week.

People living near station fear it will cause an increase in anti-social behaviour and risk road safety. Residents held a meeting with council officers at District House this week to discuss their concerns.

The meeting was adjourned so the local authority can gather more data about how many people visit the petrol station.

Liz Hartley, of London Road, is concerned about the safety of school children.

She said: "Drinkers will be buying alcohol from the garage and drinking it in the vicinity. The London Road is a main route taken by children walking to nearby schools."

Marlene Edwards, of Tamworth Road, said: "This garage is for fuel and not for alcohol."

Janette Horton, of London Road, said: "The selling of alcohol at the garage is irresponsible and could be a future source of problems."

Dr Chris Lock, of Tamworth Road, said: "The application for a 24-hour licence to sell alcohol at the garage is a recipe for problems.

"It will encourage drink driving, disorder, bad behaviour and litter in a quiet residential area. This is a garage, they should stick to selling petrol."

Roy Eversham, of Tamworth Road, said: "A garage selling alcohol, around the clock, is a recipe for disaster, which could lead to a serious increase in crime and disorder, and accidents in the area."

No-one from Shell was available for comment.