South London Waitrose approved for round-the-clock alcohol sales despite noise fears from the local council.
The council’s noise team initially disagreed. Shell wanted to sell booze all day and night for both in-store purchases and delivery orders. The shop used to sell alcohol limited hours, from 6 AM to midnight, Sundays to Thursdays, and until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
The team worried about noise for neighbors, noting that few places allow round-the-clock booze purchases. An officer named Robert Newby-Walker wrote a letter stating shops selling alcohol become magnets, attracting people after other places close who want to keep drinking. He added that early morning buyers differ from others, and noise comes from street partiers, smoking, people coming and going, and delivery riders.
The applicant’s lawyer, Sarah Clover, defended the plan at a licensing hearing on February 26. She argued the shop wouldn’t attract late-night crowds. Clover explained the goal was convenience, helping drivers passing through, adding that people get confused when things are restricted.
She stated that residents might want to buy crisps, tea, and diapers; but they cannot buy a bottle of wine and they shop somewhere else. She cited that previously there were no complaints, and the shop already stayed open 24/7, selling non-alcoholic items. The council committee approved the license, stating residents did not seem too worried or noisy, and they filed no complaints or objections.
The committee praised Newby-Walker’s concern for the public. They said longer alcohol hours likely wouldn’t cause issues, given that the shop already stays open all day.