A shopowner displaying his goods outside his store has been told to take them indoors after objections from councillors.

Sutton Council has ordered Mustapha Suleyman, owner of Pricebusters on Woodcote Road, Wallington, to stop displaying his wears in the street.

Despite paying £115 to apply for a temporary street licence, the licence was refused by Sutton Council.

Mr Suleyman said he relies on his street displays for custom.

The trader says his business was booming back in 2006 when he last had a shop on the road and when he was allowed to have an outside display.

Since returning to the area in February, Mr Suleyman said his takings are town 40 per cent.

He said: "It’s very tough, we are struggling, this is the last thing we need right now. If you look down the road, our [shop] sticks out the least. We rely on that front - it brings people in."

Mr Suleyman believes if the Council sticks to its guns, it could be the end of his business.

"We depend on it we are not doing well as it is."

"It could cause us to close down."

However, the community has rallied behind Mr Suleyman and he has received 1,500 on a petition against the council decision.

Coun Jayne McCoy, executive member for planning, economic development and housing at Sutton Council, said: "There are a large number of elderly residents and parents with small children and prams who use the Wallington High Street regularly.

"We have had complaints from local residents who do not want to see goods spilling out onto the street, so we have a policy of restricting goods which overflow out of shops onto the main thoroughfares."