Shrewsbury Off-Licence has Licence Revoked

Police requested a review of the licence of The Local in Shoplatch for the fourth time, following a series of underage sales of alcohol – three of which were recorded in just seven months.

The council’s Licensing Committee today revoked the premises licence and, subject to an appeal to magistrates, the shop will be forced to stop selling alcohol in three weeks.

Tony Mantle, Police Licensing Officer, told the hearing of a catalogue of underage sales and that the shop had had its licence reviewed on three previous occasions.

In April 2010, police witnessed the sale of alcohol to a 17-year-old and subsequent ‘test purchase operations’ by Trading Standards in August and November had seen further sales to 16 and 17-year-old volunteers.

“The council and the police have given the operators of this premises every opportunity, every chance to improve but they have consistently failed and sold alcohol to underage persons,” Mr Mantle told the committee.

On each of the previous three licence reviews, further conditions had been added to The Local’s licence to allow the store to continue trading but to no avail.

In response to the decision to revoke the licence, Mr Mantle said: “We have been working in partnership with Trading Standard’s officers to try and stamp out the sale of alcohol to underage persons.

“Our now well known Operation Knight seeks to address these issues but The Local has been at the extreme end, continuing to sell to underage persons.

“I believe the Licensing Committee has made the right decision.”

Frances Darling, from Shropshire Trading Standards, also supported the revocation.

“I hope this sends a clear message to shops selling alcohol. It is imperative that a Challenge 25 policy is adopted and rigorously enforced,” she said.

The holder of The Local’s premises licence, Wine Carafe Ltd, did not attend the hearing but was represented in writing through its solicitor.