Under-age drink sales see licences suspended

4:20pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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FOUR county off-licences are to have their drinks licences suspended for serving under-age customers.

Hereford’s M & G County Wines on Commercial Road will have its licence suspended for 48 hours; Ashby Stores on High Street in Kington for a week; and two off-licences in Leominster – Bargates Spar and a local store at 28 High Street – for 24 hours and seven days respectively.

The decision was made by Herefordshire Council’s regulatory sub-committee last Friday.

Committee chairman Brigadier Peter Jones said: “What we are trying to do is to preserve the law and to protect children.

“People need to be reminded the law is there. If they see firms losing licences for seven days or 48 hours then they know we mean business.” The suspensions, effective from May 31, were sought by police following test purchases in which 15 and 16-year-olds were sold alcohol.

Licensees repeatedly failed to check on under-age customers in campaigns run by the council and West Mercia Constabulary at Christmas and at Easter, and were warned in writing each time. Staff members who made the sales were also fined.

Licensing officer PC Steve Thomas said: “We hope the decision to temporarily suspend licences in these cases will make it abundantly clear this will simply not be tolerated.” Bromyard Kebab and Burger Shop in Cruxwell Street has also had its opening hours reviewed after complaints it was open too late. The committee was told it was still serving at 2.10am on March 9 when a fight broke out.

As a result the committee ordered two registered door staff to be employed on Friday and Saturday nights and limited closing times to 12.30am on both days.

All licensees were given until later this month to appeal.