A beachfront night club has withdrawn its bid for a week of takeaway booze sales after opposition from police.
Shooshh night club manager Karl Ryan had submitted a temporary event notice (TEN) to Brighton and Hove City Council saying that the club planned to sell alcohol on a takeaway basis for seven days from Wednesday 10 June from 10am to 10pm.
Sussex Police objected to the plan saying that there were too many drunks, too few toilets and too many people flocking to the prom, making social distancing “almost impossible”.
The force also raised concerns about proxy sales as Shooshh staff would not be able to see where alcohol went or who was drinking it.
The proposal had been due to be heard by a council licensing panel this morning (Monday 8 June).
But the notice was withdrawn on Friday afternoon.
A letter of objection from Sussex Police licensing technical support team said: “Under covid-19 it is the responsibility of everyone to social distance. Due to the high numbers of persons flocking to this area, social distancing is almost impossible in this area.
“By permitting this notice, an additional venue operating is adding to the attraction of people heading to the beach area and risking further transmission of the virus.”
Also included in papers due to go before the panel before it was cancelled was a letter from the council dated Thursday 21 May and sent to all designated premises supervisors of seafront and beachfront businesses raising concerns about “public urination” and social distancing.
The council letter said: “If you are open to provide a takeaway service during the coronavirus pandemic emergency period, you must understand that it is your duty to take proactive measures to prevent nuisance issues, protect staff and public safety and to minimise the spread of covid-19.
“The measures you take might be over and above your normal trading procedures but we make it clear that it is vital that the prevention of a second spike in virus cases is of paramount importance to save lives.”
Shooshh was approached for comment.
