Critics force alcohol delivery service to close

A new alcohol delivery service has been forced to close “for now” after health professionals criticised the firm for being irresponsible.

New alcohol delivery service Quenched has taken its site down after critics labelled the concept irresponsible

Quenched launched in Wellington, New Zealand, last week and aims to deliver alcohol and snacks to customers’ addresses within 45 minutes of placing an order for NZ$5, or for free is the order cost exceeds NZ$50.

The company advertised the service with slogans including “Delivering happiness”, “Need booze quick? We’ll have it to your door in 45 minutes. Don’t stop the party at your place early, we are here to help”.

However, the delivery service has come under fire from health professionals arguing the concept targets heavy drinkers.

“We are trying to regulate the use of the commodity to try and increase the chances that it’ll be used in a responsible manner,” Stephen Child, chairman of New Zealand Medical Association, told Radio New Zealand.

“Sites and businesses like this that are just working against that responsible sale of alcohol are what we’re trying to regulate against.”

As a result, Quenched posted a closure notice on its website while it figures out its next move, which read: “Unfortunately, we’ve decided to close the shop for now.”

Quenched co-founder, David Loveridge, responded to the backlash and said: “Everything is legal and we definitely don’t want to encourage bad drinking.”

A multitude of alcohol delivery services have launched recently, and have been particularly well received in the US.

Earlier this month, on-demand alcohol delivery firm Drizly formed a “strategic partnership” with a trade body representing some of the largest drinks distributors in the US.