Underage sales lead to loss of licence for Ilkeston store

1 July 2009

Under the Licensing Act 2003 it is an offence to sell alcohol to under 18s and retailers can face having their premises licence suspended, modified or even removed.

Derbyshire County Council’s Trading Standards - as a responsible authority under the act - can apply for a review of a premises licence if they feel that the requirements of the act are being broken.

A licence review was requested after a sale of alcohol was made to an underage volunteer  on 21 February 2009 at Euro Food and Wine on Bath Street, Ilkeston.  Erewash  Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee met on Monday 22 June to review the store’s licence and made the decision to revoke the licence.  The committee also considered the licence of Mace Market, Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston and placed stringent conditions on the shop’s licence.  This was after the licence holder sold alcohol to an underage volunteer in February.

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities Councillor Carol Hart said: “We will continue to enforce the licensing laws and will seek to suspend or take away licences from those retailers who fail to take their responsibilities seriously.”

The premises licence holder has 21 days to appeal the decision.