9:29am Monday 8th September 2008
By Nigel Freedman
A supermarket has been handed a three-day booze ban after it was caught selling alcohol to children.
The Somerfield store in Queens Parade, North Lancing, will have its drinks license suspended from September 25 until September 29.
The move comes after three 16-year-olds were sold alcohol during a test purchase operation run by Sussex Police in March and May.
Licensing officers asked Adur District Council to review the store’s drinks license after the operation.
Councillors handed out the three-day ban on the branch at a licensing committee meeting.
Police told the committee their attempts to keep children safe had been seriously undermined by staff at the store breaking licensing laws.
A report to the committee told how two 16-year-old girls bought alcohol there and that the person who sold it to them was later fined £80.
Store bosses received a warning but in a follow-up test purchase operation a third 16-year-old girl brought drink from the store unchallenged.
The branch’s manager, regional manager and designated premises supervisor all attended a meeting at Shoreham police station about the problem.
They gave assurances that the problem was being dealt with and check-outs being manned by under-age staff were being phased out.
The committee ordered Somerfield staff to demand proof of age from any customers who appear to be under 21 before they are sold alcohol.
A personal license holder will have to be on duty at the store from 5pm until closing time.
The chain has now changed its policy of challenging anyone who looks under 21 to prove their age and raised it to 25.
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