The owners of a shop have rallied their neighbours together in an attempt to stop a neighbouring business from being granted permission to sell alcohol.

Director of the Made in Portugal Delicatessen, Anabela Das Neves Canhestros, has applied for a licence to serve booze during the day at her business in Shernhall Street, Walthamstow.

If permission is granted the shop will serve booze to customers, for consumption on and off of the premises, from 8am until 8pm from Monday to Saturday and from 9am until 6pm on a Sunday.

The owner has vowed to participate in a local pub watch scheme and keep all staff up to date with legislation and training, as well as operating with CCTV and a challenge 25 scheme in place.

However, residents of Oliver Road, Greville Road, Brook Road, Brookfield Avenue, Addison Road and many others in the area have complained about the application.

The Licensing Service has received 33 copies of the same letter – organised by the shop next door.

It states: “I would like to complain about a shop opening near my house, we already got one shop called Elanil Food and Wine at 169 Shernhall Street.

“..try not to approve the sale of alcohol we are ready (sic) facing trouble if the council allows this shop to have a permission to sell alcohol, more trouble we will be facing, we have four to five schools nearby in the same road (sic).”

A decision will be reached by the licensing committee next Tuesday at the town hall in Forest Road, Walthamstow.