A petition against a soon-to-open pizza restaurant’s plans to sell takeaway alcohol has been launched by neighbourhood residents.

The Serpentine Road Neighbourhood Group has asked for a limit on alcohol sales at the Fire and Slice pizzeria because they fear it could have a detrimental effect on the neighbourhood.

The petition was launched on change.org after the restaurant, scheduled to move in to the old Green Lantern building on Serpentine Road in Pembroke, applied for a liquor licence that would allow carry-out alcohol sales.

The group said that two other businesses on the road already sell alcohol — a grocery store and a liquor store.

They added in the petition that they were concerned that another business that has carry-out alcohol sales could have “a negative impact on the quality of life in the neighbourhood”.

The petition, which has notched up 173 of its 200 requested signatures, added: “Our concerns include increased traffic, litter, noise and antisocial behaviours (eg, loitering, public consumption and loud music) — these all contribute to the degradation of our neighbourhood.”

Lisa Smart, 50, who lives across the road from the proposed restaurant, helped start the petition with neighbours.

She said that she and others were concerned that the restaurant could worsen their current problems with traffic on Serpentine Road.

Ms Smart explained: “The things that we as residents who live on the other side of the street go through on a daily basis is pretty difficult.

“There’s a lot of traffic, it’s really hard for us to even get out of our house during the day.”

She added: “Sunday is really the only day that we have the neighbourhood to ourselves.

“We can walk the street in peace and quiet.

“I literally take my life in my own hands to actually just come out of my house.”

Ms Smart said that the proposed restaurant was flanked by stores that already had carry-out alcohol sales and added that a third was too much.

She added that, although the restaurant planned to only sell beer and wine, it could still lead to further disturbances that could affect people in the area.

Ms Smart said: “We are concerned about having three stores that sell alcohol next to each other in the neighbourhood — no other neighbourhood has that.

“A lot of families live there and there are antisocial behaviours that come with selling alcohol, so for me, I have concerns about guys hanging out in the parking lot next to Fire and Slice.”

George Swan, the owner of Fire and Slice and proprietor of the Belvin’s Variety convenience store chain, applied for a Type A liquor licence on July 7 this year.

The licence will allow for the carry-out sale of alcohol, such as beer, wine and spirits, from 8am to 9pm every day.

Any alcohol sold with the use of a Type A licence cannot be consumed on the store premises.

It is understood, however, that Mr Swan only planned to sell beer and wine.

Mr Swan declined to comment.

Chris Dill, 54, said that he did not mind the idea of the restaurant as long as the hours were kept short.

He explained that other stores in Serpentine Road closed at 8pm and on Sundays.

Mr Dill added: “It’s not the food that’s the issue, it’s the liquor — that gets people concerned.

“If liquor’s not even an important part of the business, I’d love to come there for a pizza.”

Mr Dill, who lives in nearby Trelawney Road, admitted that he was also concerned the alcohol sales could lead to antisocial behaviour.

He explained: “You’ve got a nice area down there guys can hang out.

“The concern is that you might have people just hanging down there because they’ve got liquor down there.”

Mr Dill said that he was not concerned about violence.

But he added: “when people drink they act silly sometimes.”

He said that crowds could potentially bring a lot of noise.

Mr Dill said: “This is a split zone — one side you’ve got a residential area, one side you’ve got commercial.

“After 8pm when the liquor store closes it gets very, very quiet.

“Everybody wants a peaceful neighbourhood.”

But Mr Dill said that he would be happy to accept a new business in the area, particularly if they offered food.

He said: “Obviously we don’t want to prevent someone from opening up a business, especially in this environment where jobs are needed.”

Marc Daniels, the chairman of the Liquor Licensing Authority, said a hearing that involved area residents and Mr Swan was held in July.

He added the 3½-hour hearing discussed the concerns raised in the petition.

Mr Daniels said: “The authority is preparing a written judgment, which it shall circulate to the parties involved in due course and make no further comment at this time.”