Licence suspended for under-age alcohol sales
A Chesterfield shop has had its licence to sell alcohol suspended for a month following an investigation by Derbyshire County Council.
Extra conditions have also been imposed on Hollingwood Stores, Hollingwood, following the licence review hearing at Chesterfield Borough Council.
The store twice sold alcohol to an underage volunteer during a trading standards operation on 30 July, 2011.
On the first occasion, employee David Perkins sold four cans of lager to a volunteer agreed 16 years and 11 months.
Later the same volunteer was sold four cans of lager by Nicola Dixon, the licence holder and designated premise supervisor.
The sales were criminal offences under the Licensing Act 2003. David Perkins has paid an £80 penalty notice and Nicola Dixon received a criminal caution.
Borough councillors agreed to suspend Hollingwood Stores' licence to sell alcohol for a month and imposed the following conditions:
Full training on the sale of age restricted products must be provided to all new staff and regular refresher training given
The shop must display clear signage and follow its 'under 25' proof of age policy
A system of recording sales refused under the age verification policy must be operated
Councillor Kevin Parkinson, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said:
"We work hard to support traders who are operating within the law and have a duty to protect the public from those who are not."The outcome of this review sends a strong message to all retailers to abide by the law. It is not worth risking making an underage sale because it could lead to the loss of your licence − either temporarily or permanently."
Derbyshire County Council is responsible for enforcing sections of the Licensing Act 2003 which make it an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under 18.
Trading standards officers had been monitoring Hollingwood Stores for over two years after an allegation was made to police about under age sales taking place.
Officers had twice visited the store during that period to offer advice.
The ban comes into effect 21 days after the shop owners receive a letter informing them of the suspension order. They have the right to appeal.