Burnley business delivering booze, condoms and fags till 5am

9:30am Monday 14th September 2009

By Tyrone Marshall

A NEW business that delivers alcohol, cigarettes, snacks and even condoms to homes until 5am has been slammed for putting people’s health at risk.

Bosses behind Booze Direct said its early morning deliveries would “keep the party going” after pubs and clubs have shut.

But health officials, police and councillors have rounded on the operation, based in Colne Road, Burnley.

Coun Gordon Birtwistle, the leader of Burnley Council, said he was against such a business and hoped they did not succeed in the town.

“Anything that encourages excessive drinking or smoking is a concern for me. This is not the kind of sleazy operation we want,” he said.

“I think people can get all the alcohol they want from supermarkets and pubs without needing to get more in the early hours.

“Anything that encourages drunkeness doesn’t get my support, it is a step in the wrong direction and I hope they struggle.”

Zak Ahmed, the boss of Booze Direct, defended the company, which provides the service for orders of over £25.

He said it provided for a gap in the market when people either wanted to drink at home or wanted to continue drinking after they returned home from a nightout.

Mr Ahmed, who runs Bargain Booze in Colne Road, said: “I’ve had the idea for a few years and it is very successful so far. We have all sorts of customers, from people who are having parties or are just staying in, to those who want more to drink after the pub or nightclub. Our most popular items are beer and vodka.”

Other similar ventures already serve the Greater Manchester and Cheshire areas, but this is thought to be the first in East Lancashire.

Two Facebook groups that advertise the business and their services have so far got nearly 2,000 members.

Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph’s health expert, said young people’s obsession with booze was creating serious health problems and he was concerned the new service was encouraging people to drink more.

He said: “The change in alcohol consumption in the past few years has been colossal.

“We are seeing far more cases of liver and brain disease in young people and our surgery recently saw our first case of a woman in her 20s suffering from terminal liver failure.

“I can’t imagine anything more appaling than making it easier for people to drink more and for longer, it is an evil thing.

“The increase in alcohol consumption in the past two to three years is destroying families and killing young people and this is only going to make it worse.”

A public health spokesman for NHS East Lancashire said: “We are not telling people they should not have a drink but everyone needs to be aware of the negative consequences of excessive drinking.

“It can lead to serious health risks if people regularly drink over the recommended level of alcohol. The effect of alcohol harm on families and communities is substantial.

“As part of the SMYL campaign to Save a Million Years of Life by 2011, NHS East Lancashire is working hard with Burnley Council and our other partners to drive home key messages which encourage people to drink alcohol sensibly and safely.”

Coun Darren Reynolds said people needed to show alcohol more respect in order to enjoy themselves.

“I say to people, show yourselves a little respect,” he said. “I do worry about over-consumption of alcohol.

"You need to have respect for intoxicants like alcohol if you want to get the pleasure without the pain.

“Statistics show that Burnley fares badly for alcohol-related problems with health and crime.

“That said, if this new business can stay within the law, then that's fair enough.”