Council officers express worry over Waitrose plan for round-the-clock alcohol sales in Battersea, citing potential noise and disturbance.
The council isn’t too happy about it. They think it might attract late-night party people, and the noise team worries about disturbing residents. This store could become a magnet. People might go there after other places close.
Right now, they can sell alcohol at certain times: 6 AM to midnight on Sundays to Thursdays, and Fridays and Saturdays until 2 AM. Shell wants permission for round-the-clock sales, including both in-store and delivery orders.
Robert Newby-Walker, a senior environmental services officer, voiced his concerns. He believes that limiting hours is the only way to control noise, mentioning noise from customers and delivery drivers.
The store’s lawyer, Sarah Clover, has a different view. She thinks it’s about customer convenience and that people expect to buy alcohol there. When they can’t, they go elsewhere, affecting the shop’s business.
Clover mentioned they have no prior complaints and already sell non-alcoholic items all day. She spoke at a council licensing hearing on February 26th. The council will announce its decision soon.