BLACKBURN MP Kate Hollern has written to council bosses expressing her constituents’ concern over proposals to allow Heron Foods in Shadsworth to sell alcohol.

The application is to be brought before Blackburn with Darwen Council licensing committee on Thursday next week.

Concerns have been raised with Ms Hollern about increased crime, anti-social behaviour and litter if the application for a licence is granted.

Officials from the Together Housing Association have also opposed the scheme.

Caroline Grosvenor, head of sustainable neighbourhoods, said: “The off-licence at Shadsworth Hub is a small family-run concern which has been in business for more than 10 years.

“Our concerns are that if Heron Foods is granted a licence for the sale of alcohol, this would result in two shops in the same block with permission to sell alcohol.

“We do not feel there is enough customer demand for two businesses selling alcohol.

“Additionally, Heron Foods is a national company and may be in a position to under-cut the prices, which a small business could not compete with.

“As the landlord for the off-licence, we are concerned that this would put a family out of business – someone who has worked hard to establish themselves.”

Heron Foods wants permission to sell alcohol between 8am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

A petition against the application from Shadsworth residents has also been submitted to the council.

It reads: “We mainly object to the application for the concerns of public/children safety and rise of nuisance.

“Granting a licence for this premises will not benefit the public. Instead, it is likely to further increase littering, shoplifting and anti-social behaviour and worsen crime and noise in the area.

“We should be working together towards reducing drunken behaviour, street crime and underage drinking with the introduction of an additional alcohol premises. Already many adults in Shadsworth suffer health problems and are currently tackling alcohol and drug addictions. Please let us improve our area to make this a better place for everyone and protect children from harm.”