RESIDENTS are opposing plans for a Tilbury shop to sell alcohol until midnight, expressing concern it could add to antisocial behaviour in the area.

LKR Express, on Dock Road, is a longstanding shop in the town and its owner Logavinthan Kandiah is seeking to expand his business hours with an application to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises from 7am until midnight, seven days a week.

Three residents, who have been granted anonymity, have objected to the application, although police, Trading Standards and environmental health have raised no objections.

Mr Kandiah has defended the application, saying he has traded from the premises for 15 years and customers regularly ask whether alcohol is available.

He said: "There are not many bars or restaurants in this area of Tilbury, it is a quiet area. I've had the shop for 15 years and some shops near me, I don't see the alcohol licence, but I applied through the correct ways. People come into the shop and ask for alcohol."

The application, and a report prepared by officers, will be considered by a licensing sub-committee on Wednesday, 11 November.

One of the residents who has objected said three off-licences already operate along the stretch of Dock Road and raised concerns about the proximity of Tilbury railway station, which is used by children.

In the objection, the writer says: "I am concerned about the potential consequences of adding another alcohol retailer to this area.

"I ask the council to investigate whether the concentration of existing premises is associated with local problems involving antisocial behaviour, fighting, public drinking or littering, and whether the proposed additional licence could increase these problems."

A neighbour on Dock Road says: "There are already numerous licensed shops in the Dock Road area, and I strongly believe that opening another one is unnecessary. The area already has a significant number of such premises, and adding another could create further problems for the local community.

"I am concerned about the potential impact on the surrounding neighbourhood, including increased antisocial behaviour, noise, littering, public disturbances, and other issues that could negatively affect the local environment and the quality of life of residents."

A third echoed the fears about "increased anti social behaviour, noise, littering, public disturbances".

If the licence is approved, a series of conditions agreed with Trading Standards and the applicant would apply.

These include operating a Challenge 25 policy, providing staff training and maintaining a record of refused age-restricted sales.

The shop would also be prevented from selling individual cans or bottles of beer, lager or cider, while bottles of spirits smaller than 20cl could not be sold.

Staff would be required to discourage drinking and loitering outside the premises.

No more than two unaccompanied children under the age of 16 would be allowed inside at any one time, while unaccompanied under-16s would not be permitted between 9pm and 7am.