Licence for College Green stores suspended

Herefordshire Council’s regulatory sub-committee has suspended the licence at College Green Post Office and Stores for a period of 24 hours.

The decision was made on Monday, August 10 after Paul West, Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary, called for a review follow a second under age sale being made.

The licence will be suspended in respect of all licensable activities for a period of 24 hours commencing at 0001 on Tuesday September 1, 2009.

It was also agreed that the following additional conditions be imposed forthwith* upon the licence:-

• That the use of Challenge 25 is made a condition of all alcohol sales made on the premises.
• That the premises employ proven training methods for all staff in age restricted sales and that written records of training are kept and made available for inspection.

The sub-committee heard that on August 19 2008, Herefordshire Council’s trading standards department and West Mercia Constabulary carried out a test purchase operation and a 16-year-old female was served alcohol without being challenged concerning her age.

On June 3, 2009 a further test purchase operation was carried out and a 15-year-old female was served alcohol without being challenged about her age.

An additional test purchase was carried out on August 8, 2009 where again a further underage sale was made.

The stores has a right of appeal to the magistrates court within 21 days should they not be happy with the decision.