Accrington off-licence faces licence review following under-age sales

Accrington off-licence faces licence review following under-age sales

3:04pm Thursday 5th January 2012 in News

• By Sam Chadderton

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AN off-licence accused of being the hub of underage drinking in Hyndburn could lose its licence.

Booze Corner, in Burnley Road, Accrington, faces a licence review hearing this month after police lodged an application with Hyndburn Council.

It follows numerous incidents of alcohol being sold illegally to young people, police said.

In a statement ahead of the meeting, licensing officer PC Andy Duxbury said Booze Corner failed a test purchase sting in April by selling tobacco to a 15-year-old.

Licence holder Rizvi Syed, 59, went on a Lancashire County Council Trading Standards course.

On another occasion, PC Martin Midgley and Trading Standards officer Rick Wilson found three underage boys acting suspiciously in the rear alleyway behind Booze Corner.

One admitted he had bought cider from Mr Syed and the shopkeeper was recorded on his own CCTV system checking the front door before making the sale.

He was fined.

On October 29 the same two officers saw a 16-year-old walk out of the off-licence with a bottle of vodka.

PC Duxbury said Booze Corner falls within the boundary of the Peel, Barnfield and Woodnock areas of Accrington.

Police say the ‘worrying trend’, ‘apparent lack of control and management’ and ‘potential impact on the local community’ mean Booze Corner’s licence should be suspended for three months.

Other options for the council include removing Mr Syed as the designated premises supervisor or completely revoke the licence.