Lancing supermarket faces ban

9:53am Thursday 28th August 2008

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A supermarket could be stripped of its alcohol licence after selling drink to 16 year olds.

Somerfield, in Queens Parade, North Road, Lancing, could lose its licence to sell alcohol after it was twice caught by police.

Sussex Police has written to Adur District Council to ask for the store’s licence to be reviewed after the three underage teenagers bought drink from the store in two test purchases in March and May.

A report to licensing councillors says the force’s attempts to keep children safe are “seriously undermined” by staff at the store breaking the law.

The police report tells how two 16-year-old girls bought alcohol at the store and that afterwards the person who sold it was fined £80 and store bosses were warned.

However, in a follow-up test purchase, another 16-year-old girl bought drink from the store unchallenged. The report says the person serving her did not even look at the girl.

It continues: “This store is situated in an area of Lancing where there have been a series of problems involving local youths, under-age drinking and disorder, in and around the store and at the recreation ground nearby. In the past there has been use of dispersal orders for groups of youths.”

Officers want the store to be banned for two months from selling alcohol and once it resumes, to start challenging people who look under 21 to prove their age.

The force also wants a supervisor to oversee evening alcohol sales.

A spokesman for Somerfield said: “Attempted purchases of alcohol by or for under age consumers is still a major issue for the retail sector. We all have a responsibility to continually review our policies and controls to remove the possibility of such transactions.”

The chain has changed its challenge 21 policy to a challenge 25, asking people who look under 25 for proof of their age.