Spar, 3/5 Bargates, Leominster has had its license suspended for 24 hours after being found selling alcohol to under age people.
West Mercia Police sought the review of the licence. The store was subject to two separate test purchase operations and sold alcohol to a 16-year-old female and 15-year-old female. The persons who made the sale were issued with fixed penalty notices.
The suspension comes into effect at midnight on May 31 which allows the applicant 21 days to appeal against the decision.
Mike Pigrem, Herefordshire Council's trading standards manager, said: "This sends out a message to all licensees that they must be vigilant in checking people's ages before they sell alcohol and any illegal sales could result in licence conditions being imposed and the potential of them having their licences removed."
Herefordshire Council's regulatory met on Friday, May 9 to review the licence for the premise. Members decided to add the following conditions to the licence:
· Ensure a personal licence holder is on the premises at all
times, after August 1, 2008.
· Ensure comprehensive training is given to all staff. This
training should be recorded and refreshed at least once every six
months
· Ensure staff are trained on how to spot underage purchasers and
to handle refusals safely
· Adopt a NO ID NO SALE policy
· To adopt a challenge 25 policy where anyone who looks under 25
has to provide suitable ID to prove they are over 18 before being
served.
· Use a refusals log; monitor its usage to ensure all staff are
being vigilant
· Display posters and notices at entrance and points of sale,
advising customers of the age restrictions and that they will be
asked for ID if they look under 21.
· Have a CCTV system installed. Tapes/recordings must be kept for a
minimum of four weeks. These tapes/recordings should be produced
for any agency that requires them
· Install a till prompt system
· Become a member of the Leominster HAND scheme