Lancaster off licence ordered to serve licensing suspension
Council suspends licence for selling alcohol to underage girl
A Lancaster off licence which sold alcohol to an underage girl just months after having its licence suspended for similar offences has had its licence suspended for six weeks.
Lancaster City Council’s Licensing Act Sub Committee met on Wednesday (July 1) to review the premises licence of Bargain Booze in Hala Square Lancaster.
The application for the review was made by the police following a ‘test purchase’ operation in which a 16-year-old girl was sold a bottle of wine.
The sub-committee heard that the offence took place in April 2009 – three months after the off licence had served a licensing suspension for similar matters.
Coun Chris Coates, chairman of the sub-committee, said: “Following the first review of its licence Bargain Booze had three additional conditions imposed on its licence – one of which was that all staff must successfully complete training in selling age related products.
“This condition was imposed to tighten up controls and to try and ensure that alcohol was never again sold to an underage person.
“But despite this a 16-year-old girl was able to buy a bottle of wine and it was clear to the sub-committee that further action is needed.
“Hopefully, through this further suspension, the message will now be clear and we will not have to take any more action against these premises.”
Bargain Booze in Hala Square was ordered in November 2008 to suspend its licence for a weekend following an application for its licence to be reviewed by the police.
The application came after the off licence sold alcohol to under 18s on three separate occasions.
The suspension was served in January 2009.
The store has until July 22 in which to appeal against the latest decision.
Date Published: 06/07/09