A new off-licence is set to be the first in the town to sell alcohol until midnight.

At a Swale Borough Council licensing committee meeting tomorrow morning (Tuesday), members will look at plans for Hardy's Market in Preston Street.

The applicant Hardy Aziz Kerim hopes to sell booze from 6.30am until midnight from Monday-Sunday.

It will be the only shop or even pub in Faversham town centre which can sell alcohol as late as 12am, and some believe it may encourage anti-social behaviour.

"If the council approve this they are basically saying it's okay for people to continue to drink after the pubs close and that is only going to encourage anti-social behaviour." - Vishal Joshi

Vishal Joshi, who owns KGN News two doors down says his objections are not to do with competition and he sincerely believes selling alcohol until midnight would attract trouble.

He says he had a number of customers voicing their concern and asking him to object the plans.

Mr Joshi, who has owned the newsagents for six years, launched a petition against the plans to sell alcohol so late, and received more than 50 signatures in two days.

He said: "My objections are not about competition. I have a Martin's, Co-op, Tesco, Iceland etc etc, and competition is good for business.

"But this is about the people of Faversham and my customers who have told me again and again that they don't want this off-licence to sell alcohol until midnight.

"This is because they are getting a lot hassle already once the pubs stop serving. If the council approve this they are basically saying it's okay for people to continue to drink after the pubs close and that is only going to encourage anti-social behaviour.

Mr Joshi has contacted MP Helen Whately about his concerns and she has responded to say she has contacted the chief executive at the council.

He added: "I hope the council will bring in some restrictions to change the times to serve alcohol but we won't know until tomorrow what they decide.

"I want to support my customers with this and be the face of the community and I hope our voice will be heard at tomorrow's meeting."

The meeting starts at 10am at Swale House in Sittingbourne.

For more information visit www.swale.gov.uk