Business information

Licence reviewed after underage sale

A Cheshunt trader has had his alcohol licence reviewed following an undercover operation by Hertfordshire Trading Standards and police.

Broxbourne Council imposed strict new conditions on Orhan Demir's licence after a 15-year-old volunteer was able to purchase a bottle of vodka from Cheshunt Supermarket, in High Street

Police had also witnessed or received reports about a number of incidents at the premises.

The conditions imposed include:

• not to sell alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 unless they have provided convincing evidence of their age and they are aged over 18*.
• to maintain an official 'refusals book' which staff must complete when refusing sales to persons under 18 or who fail to provide evidence of their age. (The refusals book must be regularly endorsed by the designated premises supervisor and produced on request to any visiting enforcement officer.)
• to ensure that all electronic tills automatically prompt the seller to check the age of the buyer when alcoholic products are entered for sale into the till.
• to ensure all staff are trained to maintain the refusals book and use the tills correctly so the prompts show. (When appropriate, staff must be monitored to ensure that their training is put into practice.)

Mr Demir is responsible for ensuring that these are complied with. If he fails to do so this could result in a fine of up to £20,000 and may even his licence being revoked.

"Alcohol abuse amongst youngsters is something we are striving to reduce and those who sell drink must take their responsibilities seriously," said Executive Member for Community Safety and Culture, Keith Emsall. "A Designated Premises Supervisor must remain accountable for the actions of staff or partners in these circumstances."

"Imposing conditions on licences is another power given to the authorities under the Licensing Act to help clamp down on illegal sales and deal with the associated problem of anti-social behaviour.

"The conditions imposed reflect issues that came to light during the prosecution, so they also help the licensee to be clear about what they must do to avoid breaking the law.

Inspector Jim Skinner, from Broxbourne Safer Neighbourhoods team said: "We are pleased with the results of the review. The licensing committee accepted all of the recommendations that we asked for. And the licensee will now have to adhere to these.

"The reason we went for this review was because of the repeated sale of alcohol to underage persons. We take this licensing breach seriously and together with our partner agencies, including Trading Standards, we will pursue any other licensed premises who do the same."

*Trading Standards and the Police advise that "convincing evidence" of being 18 would be a passport with photograph, a photo driving licence or a Proof of Age card with the holder's photograph complying with the PASS approved identification scheme and bearing the PASS hologram.