WH Smith has failed in a bid to sell alcohol at Richmond Station amid concerns it has become a hotspot for drinking and disorder.

Richmond Council's Licensing Sub-Committee said giving another outlet in the town centre the right to sell drink was at odds with objectives designed to prevent crime and nuisance.

The town centres in Richmond and Twickenham are both designated as a Cumulative Impact Area (CIA), where it is assumed 'that is likely that granting further licences would be inconsistent with the authority's duty to promote the licensing objectives'.

There are four of these objectives - the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; the prevention of public nuisance; and the protection of children from harm.

The application was opposed by The Friends of Richmond Green and the Richmond Society, which have become alarmed over the large number of young people gathering in the area, particulary at weekends, with associated antisocial behaviour.

The application was opposed by The Friends of Richmond Green and the Richmond Society, which have become alarmed over the large number of young people gathering in the area.

The Council and the police have set up a 'safe zone' marquee outside the station amid concerns it has become a crime hot spot and in order to offer reassurance.

The drink application was also opposed by two local councillors - Liberal Democrat Chris Varley and Chas Warlow of the Greens.

In a decision notice, the Council said it took account of points raised by those opposing the application, including: "Richmond Station was a hotspot for drinking and anti-social behaviour.

"The Police have set up a safe space area on the station concourse and frontage in order to deal with the excesses of the night-time economy.

"The applicant had not demonstrated that granting the licence would not add to the cumulative impact within the town centre.

"There has been considerable trouble with the number of people, many of whom were underage, congregating on Richmond Green, and the Riverside causing noise, littering and crime."

WH Smith insisted that it would have strict controls in place over the sales of alcohol, including CCTV. Its representatives stressed that Richmond police had not objected to the application.

They also pointed out that the WH Smith outlet at Twickenham Station has had a drinks licence for three years without any evidence of trouble.

The retailer has up to 21 days to make an appeal to the magistrates court.