Aldi Wins Last-Minute Alcohol Licence Ahead Of New Hove Store Opening

Aldi has been granted an alcohol licence for its new Hove store just days before it is due to open on Thursday.

The supermarket’s application for the former Homebase site on Old Shoreham Road was sent to a licensing panel after two neighbours raised objections.

The hearing was originally scheduled for last Tuesday, but technical problems with the virtual meeting forced it to be postponed until Thursday 27 November – leaving Aldi little time before opening day.

Licensing decisions from Brighton and Hove City Council usually take around five working days to be published, but the panel agreed to expedite this one after staff were seen stocking shelves with alcohol over the weekend.

Neither Sussex Police nor the council’s licensing team objected to the application, which requested permission to sell alcohol from 7am to 11pm daily — reduced from an original proposal of 6am to midnight.

One of the objectors, neighbour Carol Blakey, told councillors Julie Cattell, David McGregor and Tobias Sheard that loitering had previously been an issue when Homebase occupied the site.

She said she was concerned about the longer opening hours and the impact of outdoor lighting on nearby homes.

Representing Aldi, lawyer Lisa Gilligan said the retailer has an “unblemished record” on preventing under-age alcohol sales.

She highlighted Aldi’s Challenge 25 policy and its staff training and monitoring processes.

“We can track ourselves,” she said.

“If we have a store where staff may be at risk of failing those checks, we can act on it early.

"All refresher training is documented.”

In their decision, councillors said Aldi had met the requirements set by Sussex Police.

Their statement said:

“There is rigorous staff training with regard to Challenge 25 and other matters.

"Litter will be controlled and deliveries made within a reasonable time.

"The panel considers that the applicants will promote the licensing objectives and does not consider they are likely to be undermined.”

The new Aldi store is expected to open as planned this Thursday.