AN application for a converted horsebox shop to serve sandwiches, coffee and refreshments outside Wallasey Town Hall has been refused.

Despite a licensing meeting that saw councillors jokingly declare an interest that they "like bacon sandwiches", the application by Deborah Jackson was turned down by the panel.

Although the exact reason for refusing the street trading application was not revealed at the meeting, Wirral councillors raised concerns that included litter and how the unit would be powered.

Addressing the licensing officials in attendance at the meeting on Friday morning, Cllr Rob Abbey said: "I'm not happy with the information provided.

"There is nothing of issues made about noise, no provision for litter and no bins in the area.

"If they are going to use the council’s street services, who is going to pay?"

He said he was also disappointed with the response from council departments including highways, adding: "We must be more careful than normal as this environment is a street – a public realm.”

Officers were also told the applicant has been in touch with environmental health.

It comes after "concern" from highways over the application, as the horsebox may have “impacted on local businesses who trade in similar goods”.

If approved, it would have seen her business serve refreshments to passers by, including local authority staff, on Queen's Road, between 8am and 2pm Monday to Friday.

According to the documents discussed by councillors, she originally requested a site in Leasowe, but the location was owned by the council's parks and countryside department, which objected to the application.

The exact reason for refusal will be made public after the applicant, who was not at the meeting, has been informed.