Leaders of the Muslim community have said they have “not been listened to” by Town Hall licensing chiefs in a row over a new off-licence in Finsbury Park.
The licensing committee granted permission for Finsbury Supermarket, in Seven Sisters Road, to sell alcohol last Thursday despite a petition by 750 people opposing the bid.
The shop is next door to Muslim Welfare House bookshop and near Finsbury Park Central Mosque.
Toufic Kacimi, director of Muslim Welfare House, stressed it was not a religious issue, but rather one about good neighbours.
He said objectors were not represented properly at last week’s hearing, as they did not understand the procedure and could not match a solicitor hired by the grocery store.
“We don’t want a war with our neighbours but that’s what’s happening,” he said. “This problem wouldn’t have happened if the panel had listened to our concerns properly, because a lot of people in this area have the same concerns about crime rising if there is more alcohol sold here.”
Muslim Welfare House has said it will now approach Town Hall Labour leader Councillor Catherine West and Islington North Labour MP Jeremy Corbyn with its concerns.
“We have already had issues with a broken bottle being left nearby since they started selling alcohol on Friday,” Mr Kacimi added.
Finsbury Supermarket owner Kayar Mustafa said the shop would insist on identification from “even those who are clearly over 18" and would refuse to serve drunks.
“It has cost us a lot of money to fight Muslim Welfare House, and we are just small businessmen trying to make a living,” he added.
“We had a delay to our alcohol licence for a month when Muslim Welfare House decided to take us to the Town Hall and that cost us £10,000 in total. We cannot afford that again.”
Cllr West said: “I am very happy to talk to Muslim Welfare House and I can understand the problem. We want to protect the community and in general there is a link between alcohol and crime levels.”
Mr Corbyn said he would be meeting Muslim Welfare House to discuss the issue. “There are already plenty of off-licences in Finsbury Park,” he added.