A senior policeman has refused to change his mind about opposing a grocery shop's application for a 24-hour alcohol licence.

Chief Inspector Steve Barry, the district commander for central Brighton, met with the owners of Jennifer's Shop in St James's Street last week.

Afterwards, he said he was still convinced that if Brighton and Hove City Council's licensing committee approves the application, it would mean more drunken disorder on the city's streets.

Mr Barry, who previously said he was "horrified" at the idea of Jennifer's having a licence, said: "They wanted me to reconsider. At the end of the day, I am satisfied that my representations to the licensing committee were valid."

Chief Insp Barry has promised to send Jennifer Balsham, who is making the application, a copy of his representations when he sends them to the committee.

The last date for comments on the application is Thursday.

Mrs Balsham has collected 1,700 signatures in support of the application.

Prior to November 24, when new alcohol legislation came into force, the store was making use of a loophole in the law to sell bulk quantities of alcohol.

Mr Barry said if the 24-hour shop was granted a licence, he would provide it with support but in general he opposed the idea of any venue selling alcohol all night.

He said: "I think people would be being naive if they didn't think there is a link between the drinking of alcohol and disorder in the city centre.

"It is a legal substance and my job is to police that. I have a responsibility to keep the public safe."

He said the force had been working well with venues since the change in licensing but he expected there to be more trouble caused by late opening once the weather became warmer.

He said there had already been arrests at 6am and 7am outside licensed premises. Mrs Balsham said she would like to see proof that there had ever been problems connected to her shop.

She said: "If we are irresponsible where is the evidence? We have never sold to underage drinkers.

"We only want to sell by the case, purely because it will keep all the idiots away because they are not able to afford to buy a case.

"Steve Barry doesn't like alcohol and he doesn't want it sold in Brighton. He is going against the spirit of the licensing act, which is to make alcohol available to the public all day every day in order to help reduce binge drinking and reduce the pressure on police."