Zapp allowed 24/7 booze delivery despite concerns raised by police, council officers

A new 24/7 booze and food delivery service is set to come to Reading, after the council granted it a licence on Thursday.

Zapp, which already delivers alcohol, food, and other convenience items in London, Manchester, Paris, and Amsterdam, has been granted a 24-hour licence to launch the service in Reading.

However, Zapp still needs to gain planning permission to operate from the warehouse at 30 Canterbury Road in south Reading.

The company’s 24/7 licence request had been opposed by Reading Borough Council (RBC) and Thames Valley Police (TVP) officers, who said it should be limited to 8am-11pm due to fears of public nuisance from noise.

But RBC’s Licensing committee, which met this morning, agreed to grant the company a 24-hour licence, with three-monthly meetings to take place between Zapp and TVP over the next year to assess the impact of the business on the town.

TVP and RBC had raised concerns that delivery to customers past 11pm would lead to local residents experiencing anti-social behaviour or noise nuisance as a result of delivery drivers ringing doorbells or banging on doors.

Concern was also raised about noise from shutters being opened and closed at the Canterbury Road site, which is close to a residential area.

But the council’s Licensing Applications committee was persuaded by Zapp’s arguments.

Zapp said it had not had any issues at the numerous other sites it has in the UK, including ones in residential areas, and suggested the three-monthly meetings to keep an eye on the impact.

It also said the police had not demonstrated that the business would have a negative impact on the town, with TVP licensing officer Declan Smyth’s argument being that a 24/7 licence “doesn’t sit right with us”.

The company agreed to a series of conditions including the three-monthly meetings and not operating outside any hours agreed by the council’s planning department.

This means the 24/7 licence could be curtailed if planning officers decide an around-the-clock operating schedule goes against planning policies.

Zapp, which would deliver with electric bicycles, suggested prior to the decision it would be unlikely to operate in the town unless given a 24/7 licence as it advertises itself as being a 24/7 service.