Licence suspended after city centre store sells alcohol to children
31 March 2008
A Spar shop in Manchester city centre has had its alcohol licence suspended after staff sold alcohol to underage customers for the third time.
Last Thursday ( 27 March 2008) the Licensing sub-committee decided to suspend the licence to sell alcohol at Spar on Sackville Street in the City Centre for 14 days and to add some stringent conditions to the licence following the suspension.
Trading Standards sought the review after the shop sold alcohol to an under age child during test purchase operations. They were supported by Greater Manchester Police and the Manchester Safeguarding Children's Board.
The following conditions will be attached to the licence following the suspension:
- The sale of alcopops will not be allowed
- All alcoholic drinks will have to be clearly and indelibly marked with the Spar name/logo prior to display in the shop
- The shop will have to introduce a biometric age verification system.
Manchester City Council's deputy leader, Councillor Jim Battle said: "All retailers have a responsibility to the community they serve. We will not tolerate retailers who blatantly flout the law by selling alcohol to children. Our trading standards officers and Greater Manchester Police will be working together to monitor this shop and ensure that it sticks to these strict conditions."
The 14 day suspension of the licence will begin 21 days from the date the owner of the premises, Mr Nimish Patel, receives written notification from the Licensing sub-committee.
Media contact:
Sally Wheatman, tel: 0161 234 4045
