Licence review sends a strong message to retailers on the need for diligent checks when selling alcohol
Public protection officers have welcomed the decision of Shropshire Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee to revoke a Shrewsbury retailer’s premises licence after repeatedly selling alcohol to underage individuals.
Greenfields Convenience Store on Wood Street, Shrewsbury had previously sold alcohol to an underage individual on two occasions, which in July 2014 resulted in a review of the premises licence. This licence permits a premises to sell alcohol to its customers. As a result of this review, the sub-committee suspended the premises licence for a three-month period, and imposed a number of further conditions to the licence which were designed to help prevent illegal sales. During December 2014, after the suspension period ended, a revisit to the premises was undertaken as part of an Underage Sales Exercise, during which a further sale of four cans of strong lager were sold to an underage volunteer aged 16.
A further application for a licence review was submitted by public protection officers over concerns that the operation at Greenfields Convenience Store was continuing to undermine the licensing objective of “Protecting Children from Harm”. A review hearing was heard on 13 April 2015 in Shrewsbury where the sub-committee decided, after hearing representations from concerned parties, to revoke the premises licence. The committee was concerned at the clear failure to prevent illegal sales, but also the trader’s failure to comply with the licence conditions imposed at the earlier hearing. The business now has 21 days in which to lodge an appeal at the Magistrates Court.
Following the licence review, Grant Tunnadine, Shropshire Council’s investigations team manager for public protection, said:
“To say I am disappointed that this premises has once again sold to our underage test purchaser is an understatement. Selling alcohol to minors will not be tolerated and we will use all the powers at our disposal to stop any trader who chooses not to adopt and implement measures that should prevent these sales from happening. Any person found selling alcohol to underage individuals can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice, or in certain cases we may consider undertaking a formal investigation which could result in legal proceedings. Also, in addition where any business has a premises licence and their activities are believed to undermine one of the licensing objectives, then the public protection service will seek a review of that licence which can, as in this case, result in their licence to sell alcohol being revoked.
“Selling alcohol to minors is a serious matter and retailers must remain diligent at all times. Adopting a “Challenge 25″ policy and asking for appropriate ID is the best way to prevent illegal sales. If any retailer wishes to receive any further advice or guidance on this or any other aspect of age restricted sales or products I would recommend them to make contact with the public protection team.”
Shropshire Council encourages individuals to contact the Citizens Advice Consumer helpline on 08454 040506 if they have any suspicions that retailers may be selling age restricted products to minors. Information can be given anonymously and will always be treated in line with the council’s information governance policies.
Shropshire-based traders who wish to seek further advice on their legal obligations or who also wish to report any suspicions that offences may be being committed by other businesses can do so by contacting public protection’s prevention and early intervention team on 0345 678 9000. General business advice and support can also be found on the council’s website at http://shropshire.gov.uk/business/
