Licence Review sends strong message to retailers on need for diligent checks when selling alcohol

Public protection officers have welcomed the decision of Shropshire Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee to suspend for three months a Shrewsbury retailer’s Premises License, following two separate sales of alcohol to minors.

Greenfields Convenience Store on Wood Street, Shrewsbury was visited by public protection officers early in the year following a report that an underage child had been able to buy vodka from the shop.  During this exercise four cans of cider were sold to an underage volunteer aged 16.   A return visit to the shop was undertaken three weeks later, using a different 16-year-old volunteer, which again resulted with an illegal sale, this time of Strongbow cider.

An application for a Licence Review was submitted by public protection officers over concerns that the operation of Greenfields Convenience Store was undermining the licensing objective “Protecting Children from Harm”.   A hearing was heard on Monday 7 July 2014 in Shrewsbury where, in addition to the three-month suspension of the Premises Licence, the sub-committee imposed a further four conditions, aimed at preventing further illegal sales at the premises, to be added to the Premises Licence.

Following the Licence Review, Grant Tunnadine, investigations team manager for public protection at Shropshire Council, said:

“The public protection service will from time to time undertake alcohol test purchasing exercises at retail premises using underage individuals.  Any person found to sell alcohol during these operations may 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 is able to request a review of that licence.   A licence review could result in additional compulsory conditions being placed on the business, suspension of the licence for a set time, or in the most extreme cases a licence can be revoked thus preventing licensable activities, like selling alcohol, from being undertaken at those premises.”

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for public protection, added:

“Selling alcohol to minors is a serious matter and retailers must remain diligent at all times.  Underage drinking has implications for the health of the minors as well as their safety whilst under the influence.   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.  Also many of our county towns operate a Community Alcohol Partnership, and I would encourage retailers to sign up to this initiative and take advantage of the advice and training that can be offered.”

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/.