HERON Foods in Shadsworth has been granted a licence to sell alcohol despite residents’ concerns.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s licensing sub-committee heard 99 people signed a petition opposing an application by the store at Shadsworth Hub to sell alcohol.

They said it would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour and crime as well as littering.

And residents said with police resources already stretched to the limit, this would make things worse.

A spokesman for residents said: "The reason we all objected is because we want to have a crime-free residential area.

"This is going to increase footfall, litter and noise.

"Children's safety is the main concern because there are a number of people already hanging around drinking on the streets.

"The shop is just down the road from the infants school and the junior school."

But Heron Foods bosses told the committee they would have a strict challenge 25 policy, the alcohol would be kept near the till in an area covered by CCTV and the firm had never had any issues at its stores where alcohol can be sold.

And members noted the concerns of residents but decided there were no material grounds to refuse the application.

The decision was met with a chorus of boos from people sat in the public gallery.

Luke Elford, representing Heron Foods on behalf of Woods Whur, said: "The premises is a convenience store - it's not an off licence.

"We currently sell frozen foods and general goods and would like to add a small section for alcohol.

"We would sell wine, beers and pre-mixed cocktails but there would be no bottles of spirits available.

"Many of our sites already sell alcohol.

"There have been many assertions made as to the likely impact in terms of licensing objectives but there is no evidence to back it up.

"There has been an element of protectionism in some of the representations with regards to impact on the off licence nearby."

Prior to the meeting, Blackburn MP Kate Hollern had written to council bosses expressing her constituents’ concern over proposals to allow Heron Foods in Shadsworth to sell alcohol.

Officials from the Together Housing Association, which operates Shadsworth Hub, had also opposed the scheme.