A delicatessen owner has won a battle to sell alcohol from her shop - despite her landlord allegedly threatening to evict her over the plans.

Nicky Reader launched East Street Deli in Faversham last year, spotting an opportunity presented by the closures of cheese and meat counters at big supermarkets.

She applied to Swale Borough Council for a licence to sell a limited range of alcoholic drinks for consumption off the premises to expand the business’s offering.

But her landlord Peter Jenkins fears the plans will attract “undesirables” and be inappropriate due to the “mass phalanx” of youngsters heading to school and congregating in the area.

He was the only person to formally object, while two councillors supported the bid.

Swale’s licensing sub-committee has now green-lighted the application, with some conditions tabled by police.

Ms Reader told Monday’s meeting the licence would “cause no problems” to the community and “enhance the town centre as a retail destination”.

“The majority of our offering would be for customers to take home to consume - for example, a bottle of wine or spirits,” the mum-of-two said.

“While we may stock bottles and cans of beer, the type and price of our products will not be aimed at the casual drinker or someone who wants a can of beer to drink in the street.

“If I am successful in my licence application, I will position the alcoholic stock at the back of the shop, as far away from the front door as possible and in close supervision of the till and serving area.”

East Street Deli stocks products, such as cheese, charcuterie, pasta and olive oil.

Ms Reader’s ambition is to sell English wines, locally produced spirits and beer - as well as Italian and Spanish wines to match its other continental products.

But the proposals were opposed by Mr Jenkins, who owns part of a parade of shops between the Tartan Butchers and Diana’s Tea Room, which are mostly Grade II-listed with flats above and at the rear.

Mr Jenkins - who describes himself as a proactive landlord - says he has “policed” this section of East Street and Garfield Place to provide a “trouble-free environment” for residential and commercial tenants and visitors over the past 30 years.

“The sale of alcohol will lead to public nuisance and would be inappropriate at this location due to the mass phalanx of schoolchildren on their way to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar who congregate in this area while they buy their snacks from the bakers next door,” he said in his formal objection.

“I respectfully suggest the licence should not be granted at this location as it is inappropriate.”

Mr Jenkins claims there is no evidence of demand for buying alcohol in the area.

He says he was not informed about the plans until after they were submitted.

“It is impossible to control ‘then and there’ drinking once the purchaser leaves the shop,” he added.

“Selling high and expensive items is not a definitive way to stop suspect sales, and this can be rebranded if a licence were to be issued.

“I note the applicant will not ‘carry much stock’ but what does this mean, five or 500 bottles? Either way, this will be an increased draw for undesirables in the area.”

Ms Reader disputed the claims at the sub-committee meeting, saying her lease restricts the shop from opening later than 6pm so there is “no risk” of it becoming an off-licence or other late-night establishment.

“The only objection has come from my landlord Peter Jenkins, who has attacked my licence application on a wide range of fronts,” she told the sub-committee.

“He and his solicitor have sent me numerous emails and letters threatening legal action against me including eviction and incorrectly suggesting he would charge a higher rent if my licence is granted.

“Through this process, he is trying to build a case against me as a public nuisance.

“These are actions all designed to intimidate me into withdrawing my application and to thwart my business plans.

“Mr Jenkins lives in Cornwall and has never visited my shop so I do not think he understands the nature of my business.”

Ms Reader has taken legal advice concerning the lease and says she is “confident” her licence application does not breach it or raise any planning issues.

She says whether or not there is demand for a licenced shop is irrelevant but she has received “a lot of positive feedback from customers who welcome the idea of us offering some high-quality wines and spirits”.

The sub-committee approved the application after the Ms Reader agreed to the conditions set by the police.

These included requirements for all staff selling alcohol to have licensing training, a Challenge 25 scheme and a refusal register.