Online craft beer delivery service planned for South Shields and Sunderland

South Shields is set to get a new entrant into the beverage market with Hydrology Craft Beer, a new delivery service for South Tyneside, as well as parts of Sunderland and Gateshead.

But before bosses can load up the first dray with offerings from the North East’s independent breweries, they need to get permission from South Tyneside Council.

Andy Marsh, the firm’s owner, said: “I had to apply for a licence for off-site sales of alcohol from the address, as that is where I will be storing the beer ahead of delivering it locally myself.

“My premises licence will not allow anyone to visit my premises and I’ve made that quite clear in my application to the council, so that negates any noise, traffic or drunkenness.

“As it’s on a residential estate I wouldn’t want this anyway.”

According to the application lodged with the council’s’ licensing department, the new firm is seeking permission for 24-hour alcohol sales from his premises, seven days a week.

But the paperwork also makes clear this will be for the purposes of online sales for delivery only, with ‘no public footfall to the premises’.

Marsh added he plans to use a pub-style ‘challenge 25’ policy for all deliveries, while the online store, which is expected to be launched shortly after a decision is made on the licence.

Members of the public have until September 14 to submit any comments on the application to the council.

Beer delivery services run by both pubs and breweries proved popular over lockdown, as drinkers ordered all manner of beverages to their home while pubs and restaurants were closed.

Such services have continued despite pubs reopening, as pubs and breweries continue to branch out and reach customers in different ways.

Some drinkers remain wary of returning to bars, despite safety measures in place, and others enjoy the choice of having their favourite drinks delivered to their doors.

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