Brighton MP tackles supermarket chain over early morning drink sales

Brighton Kemptown MP Simon Kirby has written to a supermarket chain asking whether it intends to sell alcohol from 6am each morning.

The Conservative MP said that he had contacted the Co-op’s head office after reports of stores seeking earlier drinks licences.

Mr Kirby said: “It is now acknowledged that easy access to alcohol has added to the stresses that have been placed on our health services and long-term excessive drinking can destroy lives and families.

“Services provided in Brighton and Hove spend millions of pounds a year tackling the problems of binge drinking and issues related to alcohol abuse.

“I am concerned at what the impact on individuals and local communities will be if the Co-Op stores in Kemp Town, Rottingdean, Saltdean and Peacehaven were to adopt a policy of opening at 6am to sell alcohol.

“I have written to the Co-Op about this matter and asked for information about the supermarket chain’s plans.

“I shall report back to constituents as soon as I have any news.”

The Co-op has applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for seven variations to premises licences since the start of the year although none of those were in Mr Kirby’s constituency.

One of those licences, for the shop in Church Road, Hove, permits alcoholic drinks to be sold from 5am.

The Co-op already sells alcoholic drinks from 6am at its Meridian Centre branch in Peacehaven, which is licensed by Lewes District Council.

Details of all premises licences can be found on the public registers maintained by each council.