Morrisons supermarket given licence to serve beer on premise

A Morrisons supermarket in West Yorkshire is trialling the sale of beer at its in-store cafe, alongside its staple teas, coffees and soft drinks, having gained a licence to serve alcohol until midnight.

As reported by the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, Morrisons in Guiseley, near Leeds, is selling local real ale Saltaire Blonde, brewed near Bradford, from a hand pump on its café counter.

Leeds City Council licensing committee granted the supermarket a variation on its off-licence in September, allowing it to dispense alcoholic drinks for consumption on the premises from September 19. It means that the supermarket may now sell beer between 6am and midnight.

While this is a trial application by Morrisons, beer blogger Richard Coldwell, of leedsbeer.com, reported that committee members at Leeds Council were told that if it was success further applications for supermarkets across the country could follow.

Drinks served at the in-store cafe were previously limited to non-alcoholic teas, coffees, juices and fizzy drinks.