Neighbours of the Shell garage in Upper Street say allowing it to open 24/7 will only fuel anti-social behaviour in the area.

The petrol station also wants a licence to sell booze from 8am to 11pm every day – but the application has not gone down well.

“I sleep every night with earplugs,” said one woman who lives nearby. “Someone walking past on the pavement is about 8 feet from my pillow. And the simple fact is I already am unable to guarantee an undisturbed night’s sleep, but there is some quieting when the garage shuts up for the night.

“The last thing I need is a 24 hour garage as a 24 hour fuel pit stop and what effectively amounts to a 24 hour bar and cafe opposite my home.”

The neighbour added that recently she was woken up at 1am by a motorbike revving its engine for 30 minutes, and by a member of staff “using the Tannoy system to speak to a customer”.

Another of the 18 neighbours to complain, said: “It seems to me completely at odds with the ethos of a petrol station to sell alcohol to drivers.”

A decision will be made by the licensing sub-committee on Tuesday.