AN ACCRINGTON corner shop has lost its drinks licence after repeatedly selling booze to under-age kids.
Hyndburn Council revoked the licence of K’s Convenience Store on Bold Street after a meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee.
The committee heard how residents living near the off-licence had been intimidated by gangs of up to 40 youths, particularly on a Friday and Saturday night, and plagued by vandalism to their property.
PC Les Sholicar, who put in the application to revoke the licence, said the shop frequently sold alcohol to under-age youths – and this had been proved by a test purchase when a 15-year-old girl successfully bought two bottles of WKD from the premises without being asked her age.
He said that alcohol had also been sold outside licensed hours and residents believed they had seen youths collecting booze from the rear of the premises.
He said: “At the time the licence was granted it was suggested that this situation might occur, and it certainly has. The complaints raised at the time have come to fruition.”
Councillor Graham Jones, speaking as both a councillor and resident, said: “I have never seen the shopkeeper take any action. We have people travelling in from across the borough to acquire alcohol at a young age.”
He also drew attention to 21 letters calling for the off-licence to remain open, with names he claims are not on the electoral roll including one listed as his own Hodder Street address.
Basil Dearing, speaking on behalf of licensee Asif Javed, said procedures would be put in place if the licence was not revoked.
He said: “This man has failed but the question is whether someone else can succeed.”
Mr Dearing said Mr Javed had two people to take over the shop if the licence remained.
Committee chairman Councillor Marlene Haworth, said: “Alcohol had been sold to juveniles under 18 and this has led to the premises being frequented by youngsters, causing a problem to residents and passers-by.”
The licensee was given 21 days to launch an appeal against the decision.
Mr Dearing said: “We are very disappointed and will be considering all our options.”
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AnthonyUK, Accrington,Lancs (23/05/2008 at 15:16)
videos/dvds/games etc where premises can lose their licences to sell such products and refused by the licensing authority and future applications to sell such items ever again). Also there should be confiscation of the stock to send out a very powerful message that underage sales of such items to people under the age necessary to purchase will NOT BE TOLERATED. Licencees breaking underage sales laws should face this action ALWAYS FOR EVERY ILLEGAL PURCHASE.