A supermarket plans to become the 19th venue on Lewes Road to sell alcohol.

An application by Morrisons to sell alcohol 15 hours day from a new store on the busy road has prompted a flood of complaints.

Residents fear it will turn their community into “one giant booze shop”.

The proposal to open on the site of the former community garden in Lewes Road, Brighton is to be discussed next week.

Up to 100 locals are opposing the plan claiming the area, which already has lots of licensed premises and is dubbed “alcohol alley” by students, does not need another outlet.

Despite the firm claiming its presence will not add to public safety concerns in the area, politicians and Sussex Police have joined locals in opposing the proposal.

Roger Johnson, of Warleigh Road, Brighton, said: “One more licence granted will only serve to further turn the Lewes Road into one giant booze shop.”

Henrietta Dombey, of Park Crescent, Brighton, said: “The road is already well served by food stores of varying sizes, very many of which sell alcohol. It does not need another.

Premises licensed to sell alcohol since 2009 in Lewes Road

“Granting another alcohol licence would risk negating all the council’s recent efforts to improve this road and be likely to push it to become a congested drunken muddle.”

Jen Murray, of Brewer Street, Brighton, said: “My household and neighbours are already disturbed by drunken behaviour, shouting, vandalism and fighting on a regular basis.”

A petition with 93 signatures was also presented to the local authority against the plan for Morrisons to open from 7am to 11pm every day.

The firm also wants permission to sell alcohol from 8am to 11pm at the site, which was built in 2010 against locals’ wishes.

The unit has never been used after Tesco pulled out of moving into the building in the face of public opposition.

According to the application, Morrisons does not believe its shop will add to public safety concerns in the area.

It added that no super strength beer above 5.5% would be sold, other than more expensive premium brands, and all spirits will be behind a counter.

The firm said it would install CCTV, staff will be fully trained and it will operate a Challenge 25 policy.

But Sussex Police and ward councillor Ian Davey have objected claiming there were no “exceptional circumstances” presented by the applicant which suggested the council should go against its policy of no new premises opening in its designated special stress area.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday at 10am in Brighton Town Hall.