Decision date set for controversial 24-hour alcohol sales plan at Hartlepool Morrisons

It comes after Morrisons submitted an application to Hartlepool Borough Council licensing department to vary the hours of its licence for the Clarence Road store.

If approved, it would allow the supermarket to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and sell alcohol at all times.

The move has been met with an objection from the Hartlepool Licensing Association, which represents the town’s hospitality traders, along with one from nearby residents.

The application will now go before Hartlepool Borough Council Licensing Sub-Committee on Friday for councillors to make a decision on whether to approve or refuse plans to extend the hours.

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

Darab Rezai, chairman of Hartlepool Licensing Association, in his representation to the council, said it is ‘irresponsible’ for the supermarket to make the move given the Covid-19 restrictions which have been, and remain in place.

He said: “It is extremely important to understand that public safety and protection is particularly important during Covid-19 and this was the main reason bars and restaurants were instructed to close at 10pm.

“Drinking at home especially late at night can only be harmful to children because they would not be supervised properly.

“In our view the supermarkets have been irresponsible to put forward such an application when most of the country is on various tiers of lockdown.

“It would be more appropriate if they would withdraw their application whilst the country is trying to cope with Covid-19 and NHS trying to cope with the outbreak.”

A representation has also been received by the council from residents Mr and Mrs Taylor who said they are ‘dismayed’ Morrisons has made an application to sell alcohol 24 hours a day.

They said: “Are they prepared to ensure the safety of the public and their staff as undoubtedly some customers would arrive in a state of inebriation?

“Thereafter no doubt going home drunk to a house with children present and the dangers inherent of violence, lack of care and poor example.

“We have witnessed in the past, incidences where groups of drunken people have become wild, noisy and sometimes violent on the streets. This is not a state that we want for our town.”

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 take effect as soon as possible.

A report from council officers ahead of the sub-committee meeting references the council’s Statement of Licensing Policy, which notes generally ‘the licensing authority does not accept that longer opening hours have been a benefit to Hartlepool’.

It adds it instead places ‘an undue and unnecessary strain on the local transport infrastructure, Accident & Emergency services and law enforcement agencies and creates a nuisance for those residents who are affected’.

The licensing hearing will take place on Friday, November 20, from 10am and will be streamed live via the ‘Hartlepool Council meeting videos’ YouTube channel.

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