Shops selling alcohol have mounted a petition against another off-licence being allowed to sell alcohol over fears of tension between traders and street drinking.

Three off-licences at the top-end of Snakes Lane East by Woodford tube station are calling on Redbridge council's licensing committee to refuse an application from Riesutelis Limited.   

Costccutter, Resul's Food & Wine and Jubilee News all claim it will escalate street drinking problems in the area, drive sales of established businesses down and cause tension as a result of increased competition. 

Director of Riesutelis Limited, Zivile Pilipaviciene of Southern Drive, Epping, hopes to convert the former glass showroom Glassworks at the junction with Saint Barnabas Road and Hillside Avenue into a 'food retailer and off-licence' offering alcohol from 11am to 11pm, seven days a week. 

Officers working for Bridge ward safer neighbourhood team have called for the application to be refused on the grounds it will encourage further street drinking, anti-social behaviour and low-level crime. 

Manager Shailesh Patel of Costcutter in Snakes Lane East, started the petition in December after hearing about the plans. It was signed by over 120 local shoppers.  

He said: "In the space of 500 yards, there are six off-licences and supermarkets. 

"Having a new off-licence will mean that more  alcohol will be available for sale in the area. This will cause more public nuisances.

"We do not need another one and all of my customers are of the same opinion."

Owner Resul Surensoy of Resul's Food & Wine, situated opposite to Costcutter, argued a fourth off-licence would have a negative impact on schoolchildren. 

Adding: "Soon every shop along here will be an off-licence. A fourth shop is not good for children. 

"The less off licences there are, the less likely children are to be exposed to cigarettes and alcohol.

"If granted, this will amount to more competition - the council should be on our side and refuse this application."

Newsagent owner Gita Bacheta of Jubilee News in Snakes Lane East, fears the "tight relationship" between the off-licences will "be divided" if a fourth shop emerges. 

The decision will be made at Redbridge Town Hall on February 3.