Hartlepool pub trade body against town supermarket's plan for 24-hour opening

The retailer has submitted an application to Hartlepool Borough Council licensing chiefs to vary the hours of its licence for the Clarence Road store to 24 hours seven days a week including the sale of alcohol.

Hartlepool Licensing Association, which represents the town’s hospitality traders, is against the move while the coronavirus restrictions mean they must close at 10pm and people from different households cannot mix which has hit trade.

Darab Rezai, chairman of the association, said: “We think it’s irresponsible while all the bars and restaurants have been told to close at 10 o’clock and we’re trying as a society to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s not acceptable for supermarkets not to play their part.

"At such a sensitive time it’s disappointing that they are trying to extend their opening hours to sell alcohol.”

Mr Rezai also believes such a move could lead to private parties and gatherings in the home and encourage the Covid rules to be broken.

He added: “We stand for control of alcohol in a safe environment where it doesn’t harm children.

"We support any business but think it’s not the appropriate time. We’ve got to be careful we don’t have two sets of rules; one for small businesses and one for the big companies.”

Morrisons current open hours are 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

None of the other major supermarkets in Hartlepool have 24-hour opening.

Morrisons is also asking to be able to provide late night refreshment from 11pm-5am seven days a week and for the proposed changes to have effect as soon as possible.

A notice of the application to vary Morrisons hours has been posted outside the store and the deadline for representations to the council is Monday, October 26, by email to [email protected]

They must relate to at least one of the four licensing objectives of prevention of crime and disorder, prevention of public nuisance, public safety and protection of children from harm.

Morrisons has been contacted for comment.

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