An online supermarket that promises to deliver groceries in 15 minutes can’t offer alcoholic drinks from its central Brighton depot.
Weezy wanted alcohol licences for two depots – one in Trafalgar Street, Brighton, and the other in Newtown Road, Hove.
But councillors decided that no drink can be delivered from the Brighton outlet, in the arches under the railway station.
They were concerned that the company wouldn’t commit to checking the age of those receiving the alcohol order or ensuring that food was also delivered to houses in what has become a “party destination”.
Trafalgar Street is in a part of Brighton and Hove designated a special stress area (SSA), where there are restrictions on new off-licences.
It is also on the edge of the central area which has been designated a cumulative impact zone (CIZ), where there are even tighter restrictions on new outlets selling alcohol.
Under council licensing policies, there is effectively a ban on new off-licences, bars and night clubs unless the applicant can prove “exceptional circumstances”.
The two zones exist to reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder, as well as anti-social behaviour, and cover areas where these are a particular problem.
The Newtown Road depot in Hove, however, can deliver alcohol as it is in an area where the council’s licensing policy permits alcohol sales until 11pm.
At a licensing panel hearing on Monday 26 April, Sussex Police and the North Laine Community Association opposed alcohol sales from the Trafalgar Street site.
Police licensing officer Hannah Staplehurst said that the 15-minute turnaround would potentially be attractive to people in student houses and holiday lets – whether for pre-loading or as “an extension to party drinking”.
She said: “Sussex Police also have concerns over the operation and high possibility of proxy sales.
“This style of operation would allow for under-age persons to use another person’s credit card or debit card to purchase alcohol for delivery – or allow a person who is alcohol-dependent to purchase alcohol.
“Sussex Police have concerns over delivery drivers having the confidence to refuse delivery at a customer’s house, especially if they are intoxicated and become threatening or abusive.”
The North Laine Community Association’s licensing co-ordinator Roy Skam told the virtual licensing panel hearing that Weezy’s Brighton site was close to several party houses where anti-social behaviour had been a problem.
Weezy’s director of operations, Mario Adler, said that the company had recently started operating in Manchester and also had premises in London and Bristol.
He said: “Brighton and Hove has our target demographic which appreciates high-quality produce. People are focused on organic food (and) ‘free from’ products – free from wheat, meat and gluten. It suits us with the kind of offering we cater for.
“It is similar to Bristol. Outside of London, there is less choice, and we can offer that choice. We are different from what most communities are able to tap into – and we can provide convenience on top of it.”
In its decision, the panel – councillors Lizzie Deane, Carmen Appich and Dee Simson – said that they considered the application on its merits and appreciated Weezy’s arguments about the nature of the operation and recognised “some good policies and conditions proposed”.
However, the panel was concerned that the company was reluctant to require deliveries to a named cardholder or ensuring alcohol is part of a food order.
In its decision, the panel said: “The panel share the concerns of the police and the residents in relation to the location of the premises within the SSA on the border of the CIZ.
“This is a challenging area which has high numbers of visitors and could be described as a tourist and party destination.
“The panel has concerns that another premises offering fast alcohol delivery in this area is likely to add to the problems of anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder already experienced in this city centre location.”
Weezy has 21 days to appeal against the decision.
