Sister's Death Sparks Call to Ban Alcohol Delivery

A campaign is underway to restrict alcohol sales via food delivery apps, spearheaded by a woman whose sister died following a fall at home. Her sister, Zoe, reportedly spent between £1,000 and £1,500 monthly on alcohol purchased through services like Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Uber Eats.

The death, ruled accidental and linked to alcohol influence, has galvanized calls for change. The charity Alcohol Change UK, known for Dry January, is urging the government to implement more rigorous checks for online alcohol purchases. They advocate for reconsidering delivery hours and making it easier for individuals to block their access to such apps.

Delivery companies assert they operate within the law, conducting age and sobriety checks, and have policies to suspend accounts upon welfare concerns. However, campaigners like Alex Hughes and Alcohol Change UK argue current regulations, established by the Licensing Act 2003, have not kept pace with the rise of rapid delivery services.

The government has acknowledged these concerns, stating it is reviewing how licensing rules apply to rapid alcohol delivery services and is collaborating with experts to ensure safeguards are effective. This review aims to address potential harms associated with increased access to alcohol through app-based platforms.