Action taken against shop that sold alcohol to underaged
From Press Office on 03 September 2008
A Balsall Common shop has had its licence to sell alcohol suspended for fourteen days after selling alcohol to underage people.
The decision to suspend the Premises Licence at Michael’s Drinks Stop on Station Road, Balsall Common, was taken by Solihull Council’s Licensing Act Panel due to:
0 Three separate fixed penalty notices being issued for underage sales
0 Three separate warning letters had been sent regarding under age sales and the failure to act upon them
0 Concerns that no staff training had been carried out prior to August 2008
0 Concerns about the safety of children and young people following a number of test purchases which were carried out in the shop where a young volunteer successfully bought alcohol and Police records of anti-social behaviour
0 Concerns that it had taken some two-and-a-half years to provide a satisfactory register of alcohol sales that had been refused
The panel noted that there was a new management structure in place that was willing to improve practices and procedures and imposed a number of conditions to the suspension including:
0 All staff at the store must be trained on the basic laws of selling alcohol with a particular focus on ensuring that underage sales are not made, before selling alcohol. Refresher training must also be provided
0 Digital CCTV will be installed and must be recording for the hours in which the shop is open for licensable activity. Full access to the CCTV recordings will be given to any Responsible Authority e.g. the Council or the Police upon request
0 A notice stating that ‘no sales of alcohol to those under 18 years’ will be displayed prominently
0 A notice stating that it is ‘illegal for persons to buy alcohol on behalf of persons under 18 years of age’ will be displayed
0 A notice will be displayed stating ‘persons known to be purchasing alcohol on behalf of persons under 18 years of age will be barred from the premises’
0 A ‘challenge 21’ proof of age policy, will be operated at the premises at all times, and that signs are displayed to that effect with at least two A3 size notices being displayed in the windows to the premises and one A3 notice displayed behind any point of sale in the premises. The staff will be regularly reminded to enforce the challenge 21 policy, and will at all times wear challenge 21 badges;
0 All alcohol sales refused must be noted in a refusals register, be open to inspection by any Responsible Authority, and signed off daily by the Designated Premises Supervisor or in his absence a qualified personal licence holder;
0 Acceptable ID shall be a passport, photo driving licence, or any recognised proof of age card as recommended by the Government Agency; and
0 There shall be a minimum of two members of staff that must be in the premises during licensable hours.
The suspension took affect from Tuesday 2 September and will last 14 days.
If you have concerns about a shop or other licensed premises selling alcohol to underage people call: 0121 704 6000.
For press and media enquiries only: Julie Turner 0121 704 8172
Email: juturner@solihull.gov.uk