New Silverdale Road Shop Wins Licence to Sell Alcohol Until 11pm Despite Resident Objections

A new convenience store on Silverdale Road in Tunbridge Wells has been granted a licence to sell alcohol from 7am until 11pm, seven days a week, despite objections from two nearby residents.

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council's Licensing Sub-Committee considered the application for 173 Silverdale Road at a hearing on 1 September 2026. The premises will trade as Silver Express and, in the words of the applicant's representatives, will be "a convenience store that also sold alcohol".

The applicant, who will also act as the designated premises supervisor, told the committee he had held a personal licence for 12 years and had 12 years' experience of selling alcohol in shops, and that staff training on alcohol sales had been carried out. The shop will be run by Mr and Mrs Jeyanathan with two further members of staff.

Two residents had lodged written objections. According to the representations put before the committee, they pointed to existing problems in the area around the parade of shops - street drinking, litter, aggressive behaviour and groups gathering outside. Neither objector attended the hearing. No responsible or statutory authority - Kent Police, environmental health or any other - made a representation against the application.

In closing, the applicant's side accepted there had been incidents outside the other shops in the parade, but said there had been none inside the shops themselves, and that the conditions offered in the operating schedule would address the concerns raised. The Sub-Committee resolved to grant the licence as applied for, with those conditions attached. Source: Tunbridge Wells Borough Council