Whalley takeaway to sell beer with food deliveries

Daniel Stevenson, owner of The Friary at King Street in Whalley, has been granted a premises licence by Ribble Valley Council’s licensing sub-committee.

The takeaway application had prompted some worries that it could add to reported problems in Whalley. where there are already numerous licensed pubs, clubs, restaurants and off-licence shops.

Ribble Valley Council has a process called a cumulative impact assessment for Whalley. This puts the onus on business owners who are applying for a licence to show that their planned activities will not undermine licensing objectives to prevent disturbance, crime and disorder, and protect children from harm.

Friary owner, Daniel Stevenson, spoke in favour of his application at the sub-committee meeting, a council report states. During the Covid pandemic, The Friary had adapted its business by offering home deliveries, Mr Stevenson said. This change was a success and the business now wanted to enhance home deliveries by selling alcohol.

The business wants to sell Asian beers that are not generally available in the area to go with its Chinese food. The Friary has its own delivery drivers and does not rely on taxis, the meeting was told. No spirits will be sold.

Mr Stevenson said he had spoken with local residents and the police.  

He had taken on-board a neighbour’s concerns and agreed that alcohol would not be sold over the counter or displayed in the shop. The intention is to sell alcohol purely for home deliveries, the meeting heard.

Police officers have advised The Friary of situations when caution should be exercised by staff. For example, if an order is made to a location which is not a fixed address or if an order is for a small amount of food with a large amount of alcohol.

Mr Stevenson said the business can reject orders and deliveries would only be made to a customer’s home address or a holiday let. Drivers will also have a short trading standards course.

He originally applied for permission to sell alcohol until 10pm, to allow for cooking and delivery time for orders taken up to 9pm . However, he was happy for the licence to state 9pm as an end-time. There are four other businesses in Clitheroe offering food and alcohol home deliveries to residents in Whalley, the meeting was also told.

Mr Stevenson answered questions from councillors and a resident. He provided details about delivery drivers, how records would be kept, how any concerns would be dealt with and how delivery drivers would operate the Challenge 25 age-checking procedure when delivering to homes.

Regarding concerns that the licence could expand into another type in future, councillors said any future variations would need a further application to Ribble Valley Council and be considered on its own merits.

The Friary was willing to follow conditions including only delivering alcohol with a food orders, joining the Pub Watch scheme and not serving alcohol to customers who appear to be drunk.

Councillors granted the premises licence with conditions including the earlier 9pm time and police suggestions. Councillors said they were satisfied Mr Stevenson had shown his plans would not undermine licensing objectives.