A petrol station has appealed for a licence that will enable it to remain open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The BP garage in New Romney High Street has requested a major variation of its licence, which if approved, will mean the Costcutter Express attached to it can also sell alcohol all day, every day, with no time limit in place.

Despite the premises already having permission to remain open 24 hours, the supervisor Kandasamy Koneswaran made the formal application to Shepway District Council last month and is awaiting to hear the outcome.

Views have to be submitted to the council by Friday, May 19, and if enough valid representations are made, the proposal will be discussed by the planning and licensing committee at an official hearing.

If there are not enough “valid representations” the council will approve the licence on the condition that the building is fitted with panic buttons or alarms, CCTV is in place with recording equipment, that spirits are displayed behind the counter and there is a refusals log book available.

Staff must also be trained in dealing with alcohol.

The application has caused mixed reaction among New Romney residents, causing an equal divide between those for and against it.

Cllr Susie Govett, who represents the town at Shepway District Council, and who sits on the planning committee has been taking in the views of her constituents.

But formal support or objections needed to be logged online for them to be considered by the council.

After posting information about the application on Facebook, members of the Real Marsh Watch were quick to share their views.

Guy Marshall said: “A few disgruntled residents aren’t going to change a thing.

“Bring on the 24/7 convenience – embrace change, it might not be as bad as you think.”

Stacey Cheffan said: “I think it would put the staff at risk, they have no working night hatch so people will be able to come into the shop.”

To submit your view, click here.