Garage in 24-houralcohol sales bid

The company intends the 24-hour alcohol to be available on weekdays at the new-look Regis Service Station on Chichester Road. It has applied to Arun District Council for a licence to enable the drinks to be on sale continuously from the start of Mondays until midnight on Friday, to be consumed off the premises.

At weekends, the beer and wine could be bought between 6am and midnight.

The company also wants to make available '˜late night refreshments', such as hot food, between 11pm and 5am every day.

At present, only Tesco during weekdays and Butlins, at three locations within its premises, sell booze around the clock in the Bognor Regis area.

The prospect of the easy availability of alcoholic drinks in North Bersted has alarmed community representatives.

Arun district councillor Ann Smee, who lives nearby, said: 'To grant a 24-hour sale of alcohol licence to the petrol station, sited within a densely populated residential area, would be irresponsible and potentially damaging to these residents.

'To serve late night refreshments between the proposed hours, seven days a week would encourage public nuisance and safety while residents were trying to sleep. There is also the prospect of excessive noise levels that would be generated by an increase in the number of customers encouraged to stay and use the facilities, both inside and outside the premises.

'This could lead to crime and disorder, vandalism, unsocial and unruly behaviour, binge drinking and drink driving.'

A fellow district councillor for Bersted, Cllr Sylvia Olliver, said: 'Having alcohol on sale in a petrol station goes against everything we know about drinking and driving.

'I don't think there ought to be any alcohol on sale at a site like that, let alone for 24 hours a day.

'It's not necessarily that people are going to buy alcohol and get into their car and drink it. It's the fact that it sends out the wrong message.'

The alcohol licence application has been made on Esso's behalf by its subsidiary Rok UK Ltd.

A statement by Rok's agents, Lockett and Co, with the application says: 'This new 2,000sq ft plus convenience store is sited on an Esso forecourt which already enjoys the benefit of a premises licence allowing the sale of late night refreshment and alcohol for consumption off the premises. (It will) be trading 24 hours per day under the company's own retail format with a range of fresh foods, groceries, dairy products, confectionery, soft drinks and tobacco products on offer.

'It serves both the local community and those from further afield and there is parking available for customers on the forecourt.'

Lockwood and Co adds that staff in the store will be fully trained. A Challenge 21 and pass accredited proof of age scheme will operate with spirits located behind the counter.