Shrewsbury shop licence suspended for underage alcohol sales
A Shropshire shop repeatedly caught selling alcohol to underage customers, has had it licence suspended for two months.
The Local off-licence in Shrewsbury town centre will also be forced to trade under strict new conditions when its licence is restored on December 17.
District judge Nigel Cadbury made the ruling yesterday at Shrewsbury magistrates court following an appeal by the store against the total revocation of its premise licence.
The off-licence, situated in Shoplatch, had its licence revoked by Shropshire Council's Licensing Sub Committee in January following a series of underage alcohol sales.
At the time, Shropshire's Police Licensing Officer Mr Tony Mantle said the shop had made repeated sales of alcohol to underage customers over an 18-month period, resulting in four reviews of its licence. He told councillors he thought the off-licence had "reached the end of the road."
Joint test purchase operations by Shropshire Trading Standards and West Mercia Police officers had caught staff at The Local selling alcohol to under-aged volunteers on three separate occasions.
Mr Mantle said that although three reviews of the shop's licence resulted in restrictions being imposed, they failed to work and councillors at the fourth review in January had no option but to revoke its licence.
The shop was allowed to remain open pending its appeal.
Mr Mantle told yesterday's hearing that much work had been conducted by the Police, Trading Standards and Council Licensing officials in recent weeks in partnership with new owners who have taken over the premises.
As a result, the revoking of its licence was replaced with a "deterrent" period of suspension in force until December 17, together with new trading conditions.
Mr Mantle said the judge's ruling served as a stark warning to all alcohol retailers - including pubs, clubs and supermarkets - that they faced tough penalties for flouting the law.
He said the Police and Trading Standards would continue its test purchasing, known as Operation Knight, across the county.
"In the past, we have taken robust action where persistent alcohol sales to under-aged people are evident and this policy will continue. Yesterday's ruling sends out a clear message - sales of alcohol to people under 18 will not be tolerated.
Two other licensed premises, in Bridgnorth and Oswestry, were last year forced to close for 48 hours for persistently selling alcohol to youngsters.
