Council disappointed as trader keeps alcohol licence
Vale of Glamorgan Council licensing authority are disappointed
that a trader has been allowed to keep their licence to sell
alcohol, even though the shopkeeper has repeatedly sold alcohol to
youngsters.
Vale council trading standards officers caught workers at the
Londis Store on Barry Island selling alcohol to underage shoppers
on five separate occasions.
As Licensing Authority the council is considering appealing
against the decision made by Barry Magistrates on 19 March.
Mr and Mrs Mahli of Londis Store, Ivor Street, Barry Island had
their licence to sell alcohol revoked on 18 December 2007 by the
Vale of Glamorgan Council’s licensing committee for failing test
purchase exercises and selling alcohol to young persons.
Sales to young persons were identified and prosecutions were
brought by the Trading Standards Department.
On 19 March 2008, Magistrates re-instated the premises licence
at Ivor Street but imposed conditions on the licence: installation
of CCTV at both the front and back of the store, the marking of all
alcohol for sale and in storage at the store with a unique
permanent mark, maintenance of a refusals register, compliance with
challenge 21, meaning they must ask for proof of age from customers
who look under 21, and attendance at any further training offered
by the council or South Wales Police.
Yvonne Lewis, licensing team leader at the council, said: “The
licensing authority took the decision to revoke the premises
licence at Ivor Street in December last year after careful
consideration. Under the Licensing Act 2003 a number of options are
available for members of the licensing committee to consider prior
to making the serious decision to revoke a licence. Members of the
committee considered removing the Designated Premises Supervisor at
the premises and the need to impose further conditions, but felt
that this action was not enough to prevent further sales of alcohol
to young people from taking place at these particular premises. It
is disappointing to learn that the Magistrates have not upheld this
decision and we are taking legal advice in relation to appealing
this decision.”
Sgt Paul Tinkler, Community Safety Department, Barry Police
Station said: “We are disappointed with the decision made by the
Magistrates in relation to the licence revocation, however we will
continue to work hard as a partnership to tackle sales of alcohol
to young persons.”
31/03/2008