West London residents have expressed relief after the Co-operative Group withdrew its plans to introduce a 24-hour quick commerce service at its Munster Road store in Fulham. The grocery retailer had applied to Hammersmith and Fulham Council for a licence to operate the service, which would have allowed online deliveries around the clock while the store remained closed to the public between 11pm and 7am.
The Co-op stated that the 24-hour service enables it to provide grocery delivery at any time of day, with milk being one of the most popular items purchased. However, the proposal faced strong opposition from local residents, who feared increased noise and disturbance during the night.
According to the council's licensing portal, 21 comments were submitted in response to the application, though the exact number of objections versus supportive statements was not clarified. One of the most vocal opponents was Charlotte Dexter, who filed a representation on behalf of the Barclay Road Conservation Area Neighbourhood Watch and the campaign group FulhamTogether.
Ms Dexter argued that the Munster Road area is predominantly residential and that the late-night delivery service would expose residents to more delivery riders and associated engine or motor noise. She wrote: "The introduction of this form of overnight delivery activity from 11pm to 7am, and the associated noise it generates, is not a proportionate or necessary basis on which to grant this application."
The application was subsequently withdrawn by Co-op. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) sought clarification from the company on the reasons for the withdrawal but did not receive a specific response.
One Fulham resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said: "As a parent, I was particularly worried about the impact on children and teenagers trying to sleep and study. My son's bedroom faces the road, and he is preparing for important GCSE years ahead. Residents should not have to sacrifice their family life and wellbeing for unnecessary overnight alcohol deliveries. We are relieved that the application has been withdrawn."
The resident added: "Residents were deeply concerned that this proposal would have transformed a quiet residential area into a late-night alcohol delivery hub. Families should not have to endure motorcycles, noise, and sleep disruption throughout the night simply to facilitate round-the-clock alcohol deliveries. The withdrawal of the application is a major win for the Fulham community and shows the strength of local feeling on protecting residents' quality of life."
Ms Dexter commented: "Co-op withdrew their application for good reason; 24/7 delivery hubs will cause great public nuisance to Fulham's very delicate, highly densely residential neighbourhoods. Fulham residents cannot sustain the ever-increasing negative impact of delivery noise and nuisance travelling across Fulham after 11pm."
A Co-op spokesperson said: "At Co-op, we aim to meet the needs of all shoppers and offer a 24-hour quick commerce service in a number of stores across the UK to provide grocery delivery at any time, day or night, for the wide range of products available in our stores, milk being the most popular. We do not have a current live application to expand our existing quick commerce operation at the Munster Road store in Fulham beyond normal store hours."
