PLANS for a convenience store to sell booze are being fiercely opposed by residents.

Liscard Convenience Store in Liscard Road has asked Wirral Council permission to sell alcohol between 7am and 11pm from Monday to Saturday and 9am until 11pm on Sundays.

However 87 residents have signed petition against the change while 25 members of the Central Liscard Areas Residents’ Association (CLARA) have also lodged their objections.

And ward councillor Bernie Mooney, who is backing local people’s fight, said the town centre is now “saturated” with off-licences.

She said: “There are many reason why we are against these plans but mainly it is due to the fact that we simply don’t need any more off-licences here. There is an over-saturation of similar stores and it is not helping anti-social behaviour or teenage drinking one bit.

“I have no objections to shops opening in Liscard and bringing trade into the area but this type of shop is not needed – this would make it five outlets within a small area selling alcohol.”

According to documents which will go before the council’s licensing committee next Wednesday (July 17), Merseyside Police have set out strict conditions that the owner must follow should councillors give the plans the go-ahead.

Among them is the rule that the Challenge 25 policy must be in place while staff should also be given training on how to avoid underage sales.

But Cllr Mooney said Liscard is in desperate need of a different variety of shops in order to attract consumers.

She added: “All shopping centres are suffering at the moment and Liscard is no different. I don’t know what the answer is but I would like to see bespoke, independent stores opening up to widen the choice on offer.

“But it’s a case of attracting these business to the area and the solution is certainly not selling more alcohol, particularly in the summer months when street drinking is more likely to increase.”

The licensing sub-committee will meet at Wallasey Town Hall on Wednesay, July 17 at 10am.