A CONVENIENCE store at a petrol station in Maiden Newton near Dorchester has submitted plans for extended opening hours including alcohol sales.

Owners of the Spar store at Maiden Newton service station are seeking an amendment to licensing conditions for the Dorchester Road premises.

The proposal, submitted to Dorset Council by Wessex Retail Limited, seeks to extend business hours and off-licence sales, removing any restrictions on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

If granted, the new opening hours would be from 6am until 11pm every day of the week and at weekends. The same hours are requested for sales of licensed goods.

Currently it is open from 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am until 10.30pm Sundays; 8am until 10.30pm Good Friday and 12pm -3pm and 7pm until 10.30pm Christmas Day.

The proposal states that conditions will be in place to maintain safety including alarm system, cctv system with recording facilities and 28 day library, staff to be trained in the sale of alcohol with training records kept for12 months and records of ongoing six-monthly alcohol refresher training.

The business will operate a challenge 25 proof of age initiative with instore challenge signage, refusals system with refusals book and incident log, as well as signage requesting customers respect the needs of local residents and leave quietly, and and notices against proxy sales.

Comments can be made via Dorset Council's website until January 10.