A famous South West London garden centre has split locals over whether it should be allowed to open and sell booze for longer.

Petersham Nurseries is facing claims that neighbours haven’t been able to use their gardens in summer during events because it’s too noisy.

Others have thrown their support behind the business – including Lord Zak Goldsmith, the former Mayor of London candidate.

Richmond Council’s licensing committee heard on Wednesday (September 21) that Petersham Nurseries, which employs around 170 people, has operated under a restricted licence for 16 years – hosting events using temporary licences.

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

It would sell booze past 5pm no more than three days a week and only in the restaurant and outdoor seating areas.

A petition supporting the nurseries has been signed by around 6,832 people while 17 letters of support have been sent to the council – including from Lord Goldsmith.

Solicitor James Rankin, speaking on behalf of Petersham Nurseries, told Wednesday’s committee that customers don’t get rowdy or leave the site at the same time.

He said the business is well-managed and contributes massively to the economy.

He said it’s likely the extra hours won’t be used in winter and extra conditions have been agreed to address residents’ concerns.

He said: “They are a substantial force for good and not for bad. This isn’t a once-and-for-all grant.

"If you grant this then there are all sorts of checks and balances in place that the local community are able to fall back on if something goes wrong and if the sky falls.”

Neighbour George Richardson said when he last visited he “couldn’t hear a thing” while walking around the outside of the site.

He said there was “virtually no disruption” from traffic because the site is managed so well.

Lord John Lee also said the business “ticks every box”.

He said: “My contention is that every local authority in the country would actually give their right hand to have an operation of the quality of Petersham Nurseries within its boundaries.”

Councillor Andrée Frieze said: “I can’t think of almost any community organisation in Ham and Petersham that hasn’t benefitted from the generosity of the nurseries and part of this… extends to its attitude towards sustainability.”

But 23 people objected to the application with concerns about noise, nuisance and safety along the nurseries’ entrance. Resident Graham Ball told the committee neighbours can’t use their gardens in summer because of noise during events which is said can be “defeaning”. 

He said: “It can’t be acceptable that we are unable to enjoy our garden at the moment. It’s wrong.

"The only thing that we can do to stop that is to play music in our own garden to drown out the noise.”

He raised concerns more traffic will “add to the danger that currently exists” along the nurseries’ entrance, adding that it sometimes takes 20 minutes to get out.

He said: “This is nothing to do with the best efforts of the employees of the nurseries who do their very best but they just can’t cope with the volume of the traffic.”

Local Daniel Simon called for the application to be rejected so peace is restored to the area.

He said: “A quiet evening walk on a summer’s night would be met with cars and customers in a place where you would not expect to have cars and customers.”

He added: “Despite the nurseries’ best efforts they can’t prevent visitors from idling their engines, slamming the doors. Now this ceases after [5pm] – it would not if the nurseries open late at night.”

Richmond Council will decide on the application in the coming days.