Residents in Norwich are experiencing sleepless nights due to the 24-hour delivery operations of a local Co-op store. Complaints center on noise disturbances from moped and e-bike drivers, including revving engines, loud music, phone conversations, and slamming doors, occurring throughout the night.
Residents living in the Earlham House flats, opposite the Co-op on Earlham Road, have reported being woken repeatedly by the disturbances. Some have resorted to keeping their windows closed even during warm weather to mitigate the noise. "It's gotten way out of hand now. I've just been woken up yet again by drivers shouting on their phones whilst riding bikes and shouting under my window," one resident stated online. "Music playing, engines running, shouting, doors slamming, rustling of bags and other noises I and other residents are now hearing all through the night, making sleep difficult."
This issue is a recent development for some residents. One individual noted that when they moved into their flat in 2023, the store closed at 11 p.m., and the area was significantly quieter. Jennifer Davies, who has lived in her flat for four years, described "hundreds of delivery drivers zooming in and out. They're rushing in, slamming on brakes, playing music," and stated that "The kind of rules that you expect when you live in a residential area aren't really being respected."
Jodie Rowe, another resident, has had to call out to drivers multiple times to ask them to be quieter. She reported disturbances from car and bike engines, loud phone conversations, and music playing. Cuthbert Varley also mentioned hearing music "blaring out."
Local businesses have also noted the disruption, with customers complaining about the noise. Joseph Yahya, who works at a nearby convenience store, said people come to his shop to complain about the Co-op and that neighbors report being unable to sleep due to drivers shouting. He mentioned speaking to the Co-op manager, who indicated there was little they could do.
The Co-op expanded its 24-hour delivery service to locations including Norwich after announcing the initiative in 2024. The store on Earlham Road received approval from Norwich City Council to operate on a round-the-clock basis in April. Since then, residents have also reported noise from lorries delivering stock to the store.
Ms. Rowe is questioning whether the branch is in breach of its license due to the noise pollution, though she does not blame the store staff directly. She stated, "It’s interfering with my ability to sleep and then function during the day. I know other residents in the building are having issues too."
A Co-op spokesperson said the 24-hour service aims to provide convenience for customers who may need to shop outside traditional hours, such as shift workers. The company added that it is working with delivery partners to minimize the impact on the community and is engaging with residents and the council.
Deliveroo acknowledged the concerns and stated they regularly communicate with riders about respecting communities and are in contact with the partner store to address the issues. Just Eat reiterated that its couriers sign an agreement outlining expected behavior and has issued a reminder of these standards to local couriers.