Aldi is seeking to begin selling alcohol from 7am on weekdays at its Edgware Road store, an hour earlier than currently permitted. The supermarket chain has applied to Westminster City Council for a variation to its premises licence, which would also see the removal of a condition requiring the alcohol display area to be inaccessible outside of permitted sales hours.
The application, heard by the Licensing Sub-Committee (1) on Thursday, March 26, 2026, also proposes an amendment to a condition regarding the strength of alcohol sold. This would see the ABV limit for certain specialist products increased from 5.5% to 6.5%. These specialist products include craft ales, local or micro-brewery specialist products, boxed gifts, or national celebratory/commemorative products.
Aldi stated that the proposed changes are necessary for operational flexibility
to be able to offer their full product line during operating hours, rather than having to restrict alcohol sales while the store is open. The supermarket chain also highlighted its unblemished record in licensing matters.
Concerns were raised by local councillors and the Hyde Park Estate Association regarding the earlier alcohol sales time. They argued that extending alcohol sales to 7am could exacerbate public nuisance, particularly due to the store's location within the Edgware Road Special Consideration Zone, an area known for issues with street drinking and homelessness.
The current permitted alcohol sales hours at the Edgware Road store are Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Westminster City Council's Statement of Licensing Policy sets core hours
for off-licences as Monday to Saturday from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM. The application to start alcohol sales at 7:00 AM is therefore earlier than these core hours.
The committee also considered the applicant's offer to have SIA security present at all times the premises is open. The decision on this application was not announced at the meeting and will be communicated to the parties later.
Public reports pack 26th-Mar-2026 10.00 Licensing Sub-Committee 1.pdf
