On-demand marketplace and mobile delivery service Sargasso Sea Ltd is partnering with Burrows Lightbourn Ltd to launch an online retail store for the local beer, wine and spirits distributor.

The online retail store will open on the Sargasso Sea platform today.

Adults of legal drinking age can shop the Sargasso Sea app or their website for Burrows Lightbourn’s selection of wines, beer and spirits, and get on-demand delivery to their doorstep.

Nicholas Moulder, Heineken brand manager at Burrows Lightbourn, said: “We value our customers and strive to offer them the best shopping experience, whether they choose to shop in our stores or now online. Sargasso’s unique, easy to use platform reaches over 17,000 users and showcases our inventory in an easily accessible format, making the purchase experience seamless.

“The ability to offer on-demand delivery through online purchases will help us to better serve our loyal customers and make it easier for new customers to discover the wide variety of products we carry.

“With demand for at-home delivery reaching entirely new heights this year due to Covid-19, the launch of Burrows Lightbourn on Sargasso will give consumers another exciting contactless shopping option on sargassosea.app.”

Colin Rego, founder and CEO of Sargasso Sea, said: “Consumers will be able to shop a wide selection of liquors from Burrows Lightbourn in our beer, wine, and spirits section; search for their favourite bottle of liquor or 6-pack of beer, and enjoy delivery of their purchase in under 60 minutes; without having to leave the safety or comfort of their home," states

Brands available from Burrows Lightbourn starting today on Sargasso, include Heineken, Carlsberg Elephant, Somersby, Truly, Twisted Tea, Bacardi, Grey Goose, as well as water and wines.

In continued support of last week’s Road Safety Week, and in an effort to decrease the likelihood of driving while under the influence, both Sargasso and Burrows Lightbourn are offering free delivery on all Burrows Lightbourn orders. Users can unlock a free Burrows Lightbourn delivery experience at checkout, using the coupon code BARGASSO, valid until December 31.

Mr Moulder said: “We want to encourage everyone in Bermuda to drink responsibly and to be responsible drivers. We know with the holiday season upon us, we often see an uptick in drunk driving. We’re glad to be able to provide an alternative that helps people make safer, more responsible choices.”

The Bermuda Road Safety Council has commended this initiative. Dennis Lister, chairman of the Road Safety Council, said: “By offering to deliver online purchased alcohol to the consumer, this allows the consumer to avoid any temptation to drink the alcohol they’ve purchased while driving. Drunk driving or drinking while driving is an all too prevalent offence in Bermuda and any initiatives that can help to alleviate and reduce the opportunity to consume alcohol while driving will go a long way to help make our roads safe.

“With the services that Sargasso Sea offers this is a common-sense approach, which is a win-win for all.”

Special controls have been set up to ensure only legal drinking age individuals can take advantage of this service. Proof of age must be presented upon checkout in order for customers to complete their purchase. Additionally, the customer must present the same ID used to complete the order online, to the delivery agent, before the agent can release the order to the customer.

Mr Rego said: “Sargasso Sea’s ’no ID, no service’ policy will be strictly enforced. We have ensured our processes are up to standard with the Liquor Licensing Authority in Bermuda and will continuously review and improve these processes when necessary, as we move forward with this platform and partnership.

The new partnership will also introduce the following hours for Burrows Lightbourn on the Sargasso Sea app: Monday to Wednesday 10am – 5pm (starting in December), and Thursday to Saturday 10am – 9pm (for this month only)

The Burrows Lightbourn and Sargasso Sea partnership launches via the Sargasso mobile app, which is available for download in the App Store and Google Play, or through Sargasso’s website at https://sargassosea.app/en/store/Burrows-Lightbourn-Store/696163