Media Release

A YOUTH church leader says he is ``slightly disappointed'' by the decision to approve a new bottle shop in Croydon.

Last month, Liquor Licensing Victoria granted a pre-packaged liquor licence to Financial IT Solutions to operate a bottle shop at 98 Main St.

The shop, which will trade as the Croydon VIP Liquor Group, is permitted to operate between 9am and 11pm Monday-Saturday and 10am until 11pm on Sundays.

Revival Church leader Alex Roberts, 25, said he was disappointed but not surprised by the decision. ``We always figured it would go ahead we just wanted to raise community awareness about the things we're seeing every day,'' Mr Roberts said.

Church members lodged almost 30 objections with Liquor Licensing Victoria about the shop's application (Maroondah Leader, September 29, 2009).

The members, who operate the Vive Cafe soup kitchen, said they dealt every day with problems caused by alcohol addiction.

Kilsyth state Liberal MP David Hodgett, who has an office in Main St, said he did not have a problem with the liquor shop opening on Main St.

The Maroondah Leader was unable to contact Financial IT Solutions for comment before deadline.