ANGRY residents want to stop a new restaurant serving alcohol after 9pm in case it attracts the wrong crowd.

There has been widespread opposition to plans to convert the listed sun shelter, in Western Esplanade, Westcliff, into a restaurant called Oyster Creek Kitchen.

Antonia Waite, who is behind the plans, has applied for a licence to serve alcohol from 11am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 10pm on Sunday.

However, worried residents fear the restaurant will end up turning into a boozy seafront pub if restrictions are not placed on the sale of alcohol.

Craig Stanton, who lives nearby, said: “I have written, not complaining, but making the suggestion that the restaurant only serves alcohol until 9pm and only with food.

“What we don’t want is youngsters coming off the beach and buying alcohol all day and we don’t want it become a seafront pub. I’ve no objection to a restaurant serving drink. We don’t want a seafront pub.”

Jonathan Garston, Conservative councillor for Milton ward, is urging residents to make their feelings known ahead of a decision on the application.

In an email, he said residents should consider asking for alcohol to stop being served at 9pm.

He added: “Another condition I would look for is alcohol can only be servedwhen food is purchased, so allowing for a glass of wine withameal, but in effect not operating as a pub, which could be the perception if they are serving drinks without food.”

Ms Waite is due to open the restaurant in the summer, but has faced a string of objections from residents living in Overcliff Apartments above the restaurant after she made a bid to site an ice cream parlour above the restaurant, an open balcony area where locals enjoy views of the seafront.

While this application was turned down, Ms Waite has applied for planning permission to house extraction units on the balcony, a move which has further enraged residents.

Mr Stanton is also objecting to the extractors, the application for which is still be decided. He said: “I have been standing on my balcony watching the Blues parade.

A lot of people used to use the balcony above the sun shelter to watch things like that and the airshow, but they can’t. It’s all cordoned off.

“I’ve been trying to find out whether Ms Waite will be able to have the area permanently cordoned off, but without much luck.”

The Echo tried contacting Ms Waite, but got no response.