A new convenience store in Southampton will be allowed to sell alcohol after overcoming objections from residents who feared the value of their houses could drop.

Concerns over the opening of the off-licence at 60 Oxford Street also centred around litter, anti-social behaviour and negatively altering the “aesthetic” of the road.

Despite the public representations, members of a Southampton City Council licensing sub-committee approved the premises licence application at a meeting on Wednesday, March 5.

Oxford Street Convenience Store, which is yet to open, now has permission to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm every day.

Nick Semper, of The Licensing Guys, said there had been no objection from police, environmental health, trading standards or public health.

He said the sub-committee had to make an evidence-based decision and matters of fear and speculation of what might or might not happen was “plainly” not evidence.

The requested hours were not “excessive” and the applicant intended to be “good neighbours”, Mr Semper added.

Designated premises supervisor Amanda Cummins said she was looking to provide a service to residents of Oxford Street and the surrounding area.

The application attracted six public objections, which led to the sub-committee meeting being required.

Resident Andy Goodall told councillors Oxford Street already experienced litter issues from people who used an existing convenience store in Bernard Street.

Mr Semper said the store would provide a bin outside, which they would empty, and they could not control the actions of members of the public.

The meeting heard the applicant had not had spoken with the Salvation Army hostel in Oxford Street about its plans.

Kerry Ford, who lives opposite where the shop will be, said she did not object to the principle of a convenience store in Oxford Street but wanted assurances from the business.

She told the sub-committee that she routinely found drunk people on her front doorstep or in her back garden and police did not attend when called.

Addressing the residents’ representations, Mr Semper said the prospect of problems occurring was “purely speculative”.

He added: “I don’t believe there are going to be problems.

“I don’t believe Ms Cummins is going to settle for problems but were there to be problems the pathway to address those is already provided by the (licensing) act.”