Tesco Express, Leicester, alcohol licence suspended

A city shop has had its alcohol licence suspended for one month and two others have had conditions applied following concerns raised by city police.

The three shops, Tesco Express, in Ryder Road, Braunstone Frith, Qwik News, in Home Farm Square, Beaumont Leys, and The Off-Licence, in Knighton Fields Road East, West Knighton, all had their licences reviewed at Leicester Town Hall yesterday, Thursday February 7.

As a result of the hearing Tesco Express had its licence suspended for one month and conditions, including installing CCTV and retraining members of staff, have been applied to its licence.

Qwik News and The Off-Licence have also had conditions applied to their licences, including the installation of CCTV, staff training, the compiling of a refusal log and the labelling of all alcohol containers with the shop name.

City licensing officers asked for a review of all three licences after members of staff from each shop failed to ask for identification during two police operations. Those members of staff later received an £80 fine.

PC Jon Webb, from the city licensing team, said: “We carry out these test purchase operations to make sure that licensed premises are following the rules. If they fail once they are given advice and will receive a fine. However, if they fail a second time, in less than a year, we will request that their licence is reviewed by the licensing panel in order to identify conditions that will address the sale of alcohol to young people.

“There really is no excuse, it’s quite simple to ask someone who does not look old enough for valid proof of age and if they don’t have it, refuse them. Challenge 21 and 25 are there to assist sellers and to inform customers they will be challenged, yet we see same premises failing the test.

“Hopefully by having these conditions placed on their licence, and by Tesco having a one month suspension, the three shops will get their premises in order and will move forward with a positive attitude and responsible approach to selling alcohol.”

Anyone with information about alcohol being sold to underage youngsters should contact Leicestershire Police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entire call from both mobile phones and land lines. Calls to Crimestoppers are also free, but some mobile ‘phone service providers may charge for this call.