Richmond garden centre workers have warned they could lose their jobs if they aren’t allowed to sell booze and open for longer. 

A petition supporting Petersham Nurseries’ bid to operate “like all other restaurants” has gained 6,804 signatures.

The business has applied to Richmond Council for longer hours and to sell booze from 11am to 5pm from Sundays to Tuesdays and until 10.30pm on the other days.

It wouldn’t sell booze past 5pm on more than three days a week. It has around 170 employees.

A petition supporting the plans has been signed by 5,780 people online and 1,024 in person, according to licensing documents.

A statement on behalf of Petersham Nurseries says it manages parking and traffic so customers enter and exit “safely and without disturbing local residents”.

It says it could hold supper clubs more often with the licence, with jobs “dependent on the continued provision of the supper club evenings”.

Staff have written to council leader Gareth Roberts urging for the licence to be granted.

Paul Robinson-Webster wrote: “When people’s employment rests on the ability of the nurseries to open in the evening, and at a time of an impending cost of living crisis, not permitting the nurseries to continue its dinner services would be an ill-conceived decision, if in fact it proves to be the case.”

Waitress Ellie said: “If we cannot get the license, there will be less need for staff and I especially will be at huge risk of losing my job which is so crucial to my livelihood.”

Residents have also thrown their support behind the business. Lady Annabel Goldsmith said: “The management team are professional and responsible operators who run their business sympathetically alongside the local community.

"They are mindful of their responsibilities in the local area and have continually demonstrated that they are thoughtful neighbours.”

Lord Goldsmith, the former Mayor of London candidate, added: “Petersham Nurseries is a much-loved and highly-valued local business. It deserves support from the local council.”

Michael Frayn said: “We are very near neighbours of Petersham Nurseries, and were apprehensive when they started their supper clubs.

"However, in the ten or so years that have passed since then these have not had the slightest impact on us, in terms of noise, traffic, or anything else.”

But other locals have raised fears the licence would worsen traffic and disturb neighbours. Geoff Bond, chair of the Ham and Petersham Association, wrote: “The hours proposed are very long and completely out of keeping for this peaceful area on the edge of Petersham Meadows.

"This will form a public nuisance to what is an otherwise peaceful area where people and vehicle movements would not be great at these much extended hours.”

Judy Gibbons said: “Local residents are already very bothered by the noise from Petersham Nurseries.

"It’s bad enough in the day but extending opening hours to the evening will make it intolerable.”

A spokesperson for Petersham Nurseries said: “We have for more than ten years held supper clubs using temporary licences and this application will enable us continue in the same way on a more permanent basis.

“Our staff follow an evening management plan that was created to minimise our impact on the surrounding neighbourhood and a permanent licence with additional conditions will only strengthen this.

"We are grateful for the enormous support given by neighbouring and loyal customers, and look forward to future dinners at Petersham Nurseries.”