Grocery startup Getir has accused a council of introducing “prohibition” after it was banned from making overnight alcohol deliveries.
The Argus reports that the £5.3 billion Turkish business, which expanded to Britain in February, was faced down by Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council.
Critics of the company’s plan for all-night alcohol pointed out that off-licences in the city centre must close by 11pm.
In response, Getir licensing consultant Chris Nixon claimed that the rule was not meant for customers drinking in their own home.
READ MORE: Getir accused of stealing advert ideas
Restricting alcohol deliveries would be a form of prohibition, he argued.
However, the licensing panel had “concerns” over deliveries to party hotspots and did not grant the sought-after permit.
“Offering fast alcohol delivery late at night to these areas is likely to add to the problems of antisocial behaviour and crime and disorder already experienced in these areas,” it said.
Getir’s alcohol deliveries have been restricted to between 9am and 11pm in Brighton and Hove.
It marks the latest campaign against “quick commerce” grocers, which have multiplied during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Two weeks ago, a councillor from Tower Hamlets unsuccessfully tried to stop Weezy dropping off alcohol altogether.
“The easier it is to buy alcohol locally – whether online or from the premises – the more people will drink,” she wrote to the council.
“I have been verbally abused by drunks and on many occasions have feared for my safety.”
Weezy was granted its licence but said it would warn users that they must be over 18 to order alcohol.
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“Offering fast alcohol delivery late at night to these areas is likely to add to the problems of antisocial behaviour and crime and disorder already experienced in these areas,” it said.
Ha! Well what’s stopping someone driving to the nearest 24 hour supermarket to buy it from there? Are you going to ban supermarkets from selling alcohol? Are you going to shut down all the pubs?
The council reacting like this makes zero sense and they seem to be in some weird post-lockdown mode. I don’t even drink alcohol but people are free to buy it and drink it. People know the risks. It’s their choice.