A post office and cycle shop might not seem the most obvious places to pick up a few beers or a bottle of wine, but the Licensing Sub-Committee in Kingston have given them the go-ahead.

At this week’s committee [December 3] councillors approved licenses to sell alcohol at 139 Coffee, which is located within the Cycle Exchange bicycle shop, and Alexandra Post Office in Surbiton.

Now the cafe in the bicycle shop will be able to sell alcohol from 9am to 9pm every day, although the owner noted that the shop usually closes at 5pm, and would only run late on special cycling occasions.

Likewise, the Post Office will be able to sell alcohol to be taken off-site from 9am to 9pm – although it is currently only open until 8pm.

While no official authorities such as the police objected to the plans, a number of local residents expressed their concerns about drunk people loitering in the area.

The changes to the licence at 139 Coffee saw eight objections from residents, largely concerned with the prevention of crime and disorder.

The shop is within the premises of Queenshurst Square, a residential complex  with more than 300 flats.

Residents feared that drunk customers would gather outside their homes, but owner Vicky Ingram insisted the alcohol would usually accompany a meal, and that people could get alcohol to take off-site much cheaper elsewhere.

One resident, who attended the meeting, was unconvinced that allowing alcohol to be taken off-site was necessary.

He also criticised cyclists for riding along the alleyway next to the shop at speed “as if they were on the M25”, but councillors pointed out this was separate to the issue at hand.

Councillors agreed it seemed “unlikely in this case there will be public nuisance”.

The applicant for Alexandra Post Office emphasised the need to add more convenience products to the store so it can remain open and serve the local community.

Mrs Aswini Fernando said: “We have to diversify, we are not offering anything out of the ordinary, we would like to extend our offering to the community.”

The original application was a bid to to sell alcohol from 6am until 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 7am until 10:30pm on Sunday.

However, following discussions with the Director of Public Health, the application was amended.

Nevertheless, resident Roger Jones argued there were already plenty of convenience stores in close proximity and that having another off-license would increase “rowdiness” and drunkness in the area.

Another four objectors wrote about their concerns for children walking home from school.

One said in a letter: “If you allow them to sell alcohol early morning most alcoholic people will swamp in this parade.”

Again councillors approved the decision, saying it was unlikely to increase crime and disorder.