Third off-licence banned for selling booze to kids
Apr 1 2009
By Priya Mistry
A THIRD Coventry off-licence has been stripped of its alcohol licence.
It was caught selling booze to underage children and being in possession of non-duty paid or counterfeit alcohol.
Coventry
City Council’s licensing and regulatory sub-committee heard that Wine
and Beers, also known as Hall Green Wines, in Hall Green Road, was a
magnet for anti-social behaviour in the area due to underage sales.
At a hearing last week the committee also heard a large quantity of non-duty paid alcohol was found at the store.
During a test purchase conducted by West Midlands Police
and Trading Standards a 16-year-old boy was sold a can of Newcastle
Brown Ale and had not been challenged to prove his age.
The shop had also failed to implement its “challenge 21” policy – where anyone who appears to be under the age of 21 should be asked for ID – operate
its CCTV system or have a refusals register.l It had breached its
licensing conditions. Councillor Dave Chater, chairman of the meeting,
said: “We were not satisfied the premises could comply with the
licensing objectives or their responsibilities.
“The business had failed to implement basic measures
to stop underage sales and anti-social behaviour. It could not comply
with its own voluntary conditions, there was a lack of day-to-day
control and they were doing nothing new to stop the problems.”
A
spokesman from trading standards said out of six premises tested that
night, Hall Green Wines were the only ones who broke licensing rules. PC Jo Bowes, licensing officer
at Stoney Stanton Road police station, said: “The business displayed a
disregard for advice it was given and was identified as a source of
alcohol for children.
“One such sale is believed to be a contributing factor to a serious sexual assault on a 15 year-old girl.”
The store has 21 days to appeal against the decision.
If residents have concerns about a
shop they believe may be selling any age-restricted product they should
contact Consumer Direct on 08454 040506.
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