A convenience store in a residential area of Southampton wants to sell alcohol until 1am.

Applicant Emkay Retail Ltd has tabled the proposals for Avenue Road Local, which is located on the corner of Avenue Road and Earls Road.

The premises licence variation scheme has attracted opposition from neighbours.

Permission is being sought to add late night refreshment to the existing licence and extend the hours of sale to 1am every night.

The site has had a premises licence since February 2021 and it has been with the current holders since July 2023.

Details submitted as part of the variation application said that the proposed changes come in response to customer requests.

A new plan showing an extension to the warehouse area at the rear of the shop is also included in the documents.

The shop currently opens from 6am to 11pm every day.

Objections to the proposal were submitted by residents who live in Avenue Road, Alma Road, Portswood Road and Earls Road, as well as a representative for the Outer Avenue Residents’ Association.

John Hayward, who chairs the association, said: “This local shop has been operating now for a year or so without any major issues that I am aware of, but I am concerned about the extension of operating hours from 11pm to 1am each day.

“The shop sells a considerable amount of alcohol, and is right in the middle of a residential area.

“I feel that the potential for disruptive anti-social behaviour in residential streets is increased considerably if the licensing hours are extended in this way.”

Other objectors voiced concerns about noise disturbance and increasing pedestrian and vehicle numbers late at night in a residential area.

No representations were made by any of the responsible authorities, including police and environmental health.

A licensing sub-committee meeting to consider the application is due to take place on Wednesday, February 12.