Objections to 24-hour alcohol delivery plan

The business had previous similar applications turned down in 2015 and 2017

A Kent corner shop's request to conduct 24-hour alcohol deliveries is facing opposition over antisocial behaviour concerns.

Canterbury Wine Mart, on Canterbury's St Dunstans Street, had previous applications turned down in 2015 and 2017, with objectors worried it might lead to a rise in street drinking and "intimidating gatherings".

Canterbury City Council (CCC) was told that the deliveries would be ordered via apps such as Deliveroo and JustEat and dispatched by electric scooter riders after 23:00 GMT.

Putrathingan Sivashankar, the licensing agent for the business, said: "Since Covid-19 people's habits have completely changed - delivery is now the way most people order stuff."

The application also stated that, while the existing hours for the onsite sale of alcohol would not change, the shop would be "open 24 hours for general sales, take-away hot beverages and alcohol deliveries".

A "minimum of two staff will be at the premises after 23:00 GMT until 06:00 GMT the next day", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The papers added that delivery drivers would not be allowed to congregate at the premises.

However, Kent Police licensing officer PC Danielle Rolfe has written to CCC asking that the proposal once again be refused, citing "concerns of nuisance, street drinkers and general concerns for the impact on the locality".

'Inevitable disturbance'

Diane Attenborough, CCC's licensing enforcement officer at CCC, also objected, describing Westgate Ward as already having "a history of antisocial behaviour reports, crime and theft".

Councillor Pip Hazelton, who represents the area, said 24-hour deliveries would lead to an "inevitable disturbance" to the surrounding residential area.

But Mr Sivashankar said the shop, which has been operating for nearly 15 years, would not have "more than one delivery driver to be approaching at any one time or waiting there".

CCC's licensing panel will make its decision on Wednesday.