Concerns have been raised by the police after a town centre off licence applied to sell alcohol into the early hours at weekends.

Licensee Ismail Bozdag wants to sell booze until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays at King's Food and Wine in King Street, Gravesend.

He had applied to Gravesham council to vary his licence to sell alcohol to between 8am and midnight for the rest of the week.

Mr Bozdag expressed frustration regarding a neighbouring rival business which had been granted a similar licence only months before and said this was the reason for his request.

His agent, Graham Hopkins, said methods to mitigate the risk associated with people buying alcohol late at night would be employed, including taking on door staff to work during the shifts on the weekends.

But both Kent Police and the council's Environmental Protection Team said they had concerns about the impact the granting of the licence could have on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour and people loitering outside the shop which could disturb nearby residents at night.

PC Daniel Hunt explained although the force had not objected to the other shop's extension of a licence to sell alcohol until 2am on weekends, he said: "We can confirm there is a clear change of dynamic within the town centre between the late evening and the early hours."

The council's Licensing Panel - which met virtually today - adjourned to make a decision on the application which will be published within five working days.

Update: The committee approved the extension of the shop's licence between 8am and 11pm, Monday to Sunday, subject to conditions set by the council which did not include the need for a door supervisor.

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