Neighbours oppose licensing bid to run wine delivery business from Eastbourne home

Next Friday (September 4), a panel of Eastbourne borough councillors will consider a licensing application for the sale of alcohol from a home at 11 Piltdown Way.

The application has been put forward by Luke and James Mould, with the property to act as a sales hub for their wine delivery business Vino Bros Ltd.

While no alcohol would be sold directly from the premises, the application has seen opposition from a number of neighbours, who argue that the pickup and delivery of wine would cause a public nuisance.

In one letter of objection, a Mr Nicholas Parrett said: “I would like to make a representation regarding the above, not because I object to a business being run from a residential premises, but because of the disturbance of deliveries to and from the premises will make.

“Piltdown Way is a narrow cul-de-sac and whilst it is commonplace for lorries to regularly deliver to households in the street, these will be for one-off quick drops and confined generally to daytime hours.

“The application states that business hours are to 9pm, seven days a week and if this means delivery vans could be loaded/unloaded to such a late hour and/or at weekends then I believe this to be unacceptable.” 

In another letter, neighbour Mrs Meetren described a recent delivery of stock to the property, which she said had “blocked the road.” 

Similar deliveries, Mrs Meetren argues, would create a public nuisance, against the licensing objectives.

Several other residents have submitted similar objections, with all raising concerns that business deliveries would exacerbate parking issues in the road. 

Licensing officers, however, are advising councillors to exercise caution when considering existing parking issues.

In a report to be considered by councillors, a council licensing officer said: “All of the representations mention parking as an issue for the residents, including one which seeks a guarantee the owner will be able to remove the car from her driveway. 

“The sub-committee are entitled to disregard such comments as they fall outside the remit and responsibility of the licence holder. It is a public highway. Responsibility for parking properly rests with the driver of the vehicle.”

According to the report, the premises, which is the home address of one of the directors. 

The application seeks licensed hours of 11am to 9pm, every day, which would reflect the hours during which collections for delivery will be made.

Sussex Police have not raised any objection to the application so long as the business follows the conditions it has offered.

These include a challenge 25 policy and requiring an adult to sign for deliveries. Deliveries would also only be made to a customer’s place of business or home. 

The conditions would also mean that no members of the public will be allowed to access the premises for the purposes of purchasing alcohol.

A decision on the application is expected to be made following a hearing scheduled for 4pm on Friday, September 4.

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