SOUTH WOODFORD: Residents' fears over off-licence extension

Chelmsford and Derby Road Neighbourhood Watch and Tempus Court Residents’ Association hope to block an attempt by Woody Food and Wine in High Road, South Woodford, to move its closing time from 12am.

Residents say there is already a problem with anti-social behaviour in the area associated with bar Funky Mojoes, which is close to the off-licence, and fear problems will escalate if permission is granted.

The application comes just days after residents voted unanimously for restrictions on opening hours in the area to combat night-time disruption.

Residents are supported by Woodford Green MP Iain Duncan Smith.

During a meeting on Friday he said: “We want to stop this dead in its tracks.

“I and the people I represent are utterly opposed to an increase in opening hours that will cause the residents nothing but problems.”

The licensing committee will consider the application on May 10, well before the new restrictions come into effect.

Known as a Cumulative Impact Zone, the initiative will make it harder for any business selling alcohol to extend its opening hours.

However, licensing committees currently have little power to oppose applications, unless there is proof that extensions will have a detrimental impact.

Residents fear clubbers would use Woody’s to buy cheap alcohol to drink before visiting clubs and bars with higher prices.

Barry Van Loen, 66, of nearby Tempus Court, said: “It could well make people hang around later and I don’t see why residents should be asked to take the risk.”

Woody’s store director Cengiz Karatas, 26, said the shop would be losing out on potential profit if its application was denied.

He said: “Iain (Duncan Smith) has not spoken to us, I thought MPs represent everybody?

“This area gets busy after 12am and that’s when we make our money. We would maybe shut down if our application is denied.”

He added that he had even offered to put a bouncer on the door as part of the application to address concerns.