Worthing: Petrol station applies for 24-hour alcohol licence

People living in Seamill Park Avenue and surrounding areas have voiced their fury over the application submitted for the Brooklands service station in Brighton Road, Worthing, due to the impact it could have on their community.

They believe if the application is passed by Worthing Borough Council that they will see antisocial behaviour, drug use, more litter, increased traffic, parking issues, crime and general disturbance in the area.

Mike Whiting, who lives in the neighbouring property, fears the approval of the licence, submitted by the Motor Fuel Group (MFG), will increase traffic on the already busy Brighton Road, which he reports to be “the busiest single carriageway road in Worthing”.

Mike Whiting, who lives next door to the service station (Image: The Argus) He also said the alcohol licence could lead to increased drug use and antisocial behaviour in the car park and park behind his house.

Mike, who has lived in Seamill Park Avenue for almost 40 years, said: “There are kids that play in that park. They’ll come across bottles and needles and all sorts.”

READ MORE: Fears over drive-through fast-food restaurant plans on busy road

Janice Kordek, who also lives in the area, said: “It is so ludicrous.

“We are not going to benefit at all from it. It is our safety that is at stake.

“What is it doing for Worthing? It is just awful.”

Residents say congestion and parking issues will be made worse by the 24 hour sale of alcohol (Image: The Argus) The group also reported a large amount of litter in the area, which they claim comes from petrol station customers and will only become more severe if the licence application is approved.

Svitlana Westgate lives in the property opposite the petrol station and spoke of the issues she already faces.

READ MORE: Row erupts over who should remove flytipping that has been in lane for weeks

She said: “People sit on the wall outside my house, shouting and drinking. Rubbish is always everywhere.

“Every day I have to go out there and collect the rubbish.

The BP garage and Londis in Brighton Road (Image: The Argus) “They also fight out there. It is going to get worse.”

Currently, the service station sells alcohol between 6am and 11pm. The approval of the licence application would allow the business to sell it 24 hours a day as well as “late night refreshments” between 11pm and 5am.

The application is currently being reviewed by Worthing Borough Council. It is due to be under consultation until October 31.

It comes as plans for a new drive-through at the service station were approved in April under the condition that the food outlet was only open between 7am and 10pm.

MFG has been approached for comment.