Neighbours have made complaints about the conversion of a Christian charity shop into a convenience store in Whitley.

This Spring, businessman Bhupinder Singh Talwar submitted an application to sell alcohol from the closed Christian Community Action charity shop at 526-528 Northumberland Avenue.

But the application attracted criticism from a neighbouring store, with the owner arguing the new store would be ‘totally unnecessary’.

The owner of the existing store said: “That area was dead quiet. Now I can only imagine how noisy that area will be, whereas before when the charity shop was there it was dead quiet.

“I strongly believe that the neighbourhood’s peace should not be compromised by opening this off-licence.

“We already have co-op and PMK convenience store in walking distance to each other and it is not like the public would like a new off-licence on top of the two shops that are already next to each other.”

Meanwhile, three neighbours also raised complaints that drug users and alcoholics use the row of shops as a place to gather.

The row currently consists of the PMK store, Whitley Wood Pharmacy and Betfred.

These complaints triggered a licensing committee meeting to decide the application.

In negotiations with police and council licensing officers, Mr Talwar agreed to not sell single cans or split packs of alcohol that are intended to be sold as multi-packs, operate CCTV and train staff on the prevention of crime and disorder.

Surendra Panchal, a licensing consultant speaking on Mr Talwar’s behalf said: “The conditions are robust.

“He has never sold drug paraphernalia like pipes either.

“This will be under the franchise of Londis, he is going to create some jobs in the area, which will help local people.”

Mr Panchal added there will be a Challenge 25 age verification policy for alcohol sales.

Concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour were addressed at the meeting.

According to Police.UK data, there were 11 reports of shoplifting from the nearby Co-op in Whitley Wood Road in March 2024.

READ MORE: Thousands of shoplifters still walking free after being detained, Co-op warns

Councillor Clarence Mitchell (Conservative, Emmer Green) said: “Neighbours are concerned about people milling about, what mitigation measures will you take? Personally, I’m satisfied, but I’d like to know how you will offset that.”

Mr Panchal acknowledged that there was shoplifting from the Co-op, stating that staff will be trained and Mr Talwar is considering hiring door staff if needed.

He said: “We will make sure that no people will be hanging around. If required we will hire an extra member of staff outside of the shop for security purposes. We are looking to do that, and will work that out if needed in the future.”

Cllr Mitchell stressed that community relations should be maintained.

Cllr Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) referring to objections from the neighbouring shop, said: “Competition is not grounds for refusal.”

He asked whether negotiations had taken place with neighbouring businesses, with Mr Panchal saying there was.

The licensing applications committee decided to grant the licence on Thursday, May 30.

It means that alcohol can be sold from the Londis, which will take around a month to open as the charity shop is converted.

The decision was made by cllrs Woodward, Mitchell and Ama Asare (Labour, Thames).