COUNCIL REVOKES LICENCE FOR UNDERAGE ALCOHOL SALES

Harlow Council is continuing its crack down on retailers selling alcohol to underage people.

Last night (30 July) Quick Stop News in the town centre became the latest store to have its alcohol licence revoked after a test purchasing operation by Harlow Council, Essex Police and Trading Standards.

Harlow Council’s Licensing Sub Committee heard that following reports of underage sales, the shop was visited by officers from all three authorities who spoke to staff and advised them of the law. Despite the visits the sales continued and a surveillance operation was carried out. During a three hour investigation, three groups of underage people were able to buy alcohol without being asked for ID by shop staff.

As a result, an application was made to Harlow Council for the revocation of the shop’s licence and last night the committee backed the recommendation. Earlier this month, One Stop at The Stow had its licence revoked by the Council following similar problems with underage alcohol sales.

Chairman of the Licensing Committee Cllr Sean Folan said: “We are making it quite clear that we will not tolerate this type of behaviour from retailers. The evidence was overwhelming and there is no way that we could have allowed this retailer to continue to flout the law and put young people at risk. “

Harlow Council’s Licensing Manager Peter Bourn said: “This was a good result and sends out the message that we are watching retailers who think that they can get away with it. Retailers are becoming aware that we are constantly investigating the sales of age restricted goods, not just alcohol but cigarettes, fireworks and solvents. Generally the work that we do with retailers to inform them of the law has reduced the problem but there are still retailers who think they can ignore our advice and there will be no consequences.”

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