A delicatessen owner has been granted a premises licence to sell alcohol despite her landlord allegedly threatening to evict her over the plans.

It has been reported that Nicky Reader launched East Street Deli in Faversham last year, "spotting an opportunity presented by the closures of cheese and meat counters at big supermarkets".

However, her landlord feared the plans will attract “undesirables” and be inappropriate due to the “mass phalanx” of youngsters heading to school and congregating in the area.  He was the only person to formally object, while two councillors supported the bid.

Kent Online reported that Ms Reader told the licensing hearing that the licence would “cause no problems” to the community and “enhance the town centre as a retail destination”, saying:

“The majority of our offering would be for customers to take home to consume - for example, a bottle of wine or spirits,” the mum-of-two said.

“While we may stock bottles and cans of beer, the type and price of our products will not be aimed at the casual drinker or someone who wants a can of beer to drink in the street.

“If I am successful in my licence application, I will position the alcoholic stock at the back of the shop, as far away from the front door as possible and in close supervision of the till and serving area.”

However, Mr Jenkins - who describes himself as a proactive landlord - says he has “policed” this section of East Street and Garfield Place to provide a “trouble-free environment” for residential and commercial tenants and visitors over the past 30 years.

“The sale of alcohol will lead to public nuisance and would be inappropriate at this location due to the mass phalanx of schoolchildren on their way to Queen Elizabeth's Grammar who congregate in this area while they buy their snacks from the bakers next door,” he said in his formal objection.

“I respectfully suggest the licence should not be granted at this location as it is inappropriate.”