A new off licence at Wood Street Indoor Market in Walthamstow will encourage the celebration of alcoholism and poverty, a rival stallholder has claimed.

Businesswoman Caroline Griffiths has applied for a licence for the 'Mother's Ruin East London Gin Palace' in Wood Street Market, Walthamstow.

She hopes to open it between late morning and 6pm, except for a closing time of 8pm on Thursdays, and has the support of the market's owners.

But Significant Seams, a textiles shop and social enterprise group located opposite the proposed new stall, has objected because of its belief that the “celebratory tone” of the business could influence the vulnerable children and adults who it works with.

Its executive director Catherine West said: “The licence for Mother's Ruin would flaunt celebration of alcoholism, destitution and historic poverty while selling alcohol.
 

"This would literally be on our doorstep as we support vulnerable people in facing difficult life circumstances - which often include destitution, addiction and abuse."

Ms West said that while she did not object to microbreweries, she thought the location was a deliberate attempt to “exploit a vulnerable neighbourhood”.

She said: "Additionally our business's commercial interests will be significantly undermined.

"Our most significant income streams are often informed by site visits by investors, commissioners and funding bodies.

"Their impression of the appropriateness of our facilities, surroundings and innovative approach to service delivery to vulnerable people determine our commercial position."

She added: "We believe our location - and more generally - our existence is a key asset to the regeneration of the area.”

Ms West said ten other stallholders supported her attempts to try and get the off licence relocated elsewhere in the market, but says this was ignored.

But Ms Griffiths said: "I think Significant Seams have misunderstood my business and I hope it will get cleared up at the [licence] meeting.

"Mother's Ruin is a small craft-based business with artisan drink products.

"What I'm doing is part of the regeneration of Wood Street and I've probably got a lot in common with Ms West.

"For me, relocation somewhere else in the market is a non-issue because that would be to concede that I'm doing something that is some how damaging.

"I don't believe that description of my business is correct."

The historic indoor market was rebranded and relaunched earlier this year after Waltham Forest Council secured cash from London Mayor Boris Johnson’s fund for outer London boroughs.

'Gin palaces' was the name given to bars selling spirits which were popular across 18th century London.

A council licensing sub-committee will make a decision on the application at a town hall meeting next Tuesday (August 28).

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Facebook