Minutes:
An application has been made by Trading Standards for a review of the Premises Licence in respect of Cameron Convenience Store, 575 Parkfield Road, Parkfields, Wolverhampton.
At this hearing to review the Premises Licence, the Licensing Sub-Committee has listened carefully to the submissions made Trading Standards and the Premises Licence Holder.
Based upon the above and having regard to the application and representations made, the Sub-Committee have decided to modify the conditions of the Licence permanently. The following due diligence conditions will be attached to the licence:
1. All persons selling alcohol must be trained before they are allowed to sell alcohol to the public. Refresher training must be undertaken at regular intervals. Records must be kept of training by the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). Persons selling alcohol must be authorised in writing by the DPS. The records of training and persons authorised to sell alcohol must be kept on the premises during opening hours and must be available on request to an officer of a Responsible Authority.
2. A ‘Challenge 25’ and ‘No ID No Sale’ policy, which is supported with signage at all entrances where alcohol is displayed and at the till, must be implemented; this is the responsibility of the DPS.
3. An electronic or written till prompt or a notice must be secured to the till at eye level to remind staff that they must ask for ID if a customer looks under 25.
4. Only documents which include a photograph of the purchaser and their date of birth should be accepted to prove that person’s age, e.g. Validate Card or Citizen’s Card.
5. A refusals log must be maintained, which documents the date and time a refusal is made, the reason for the refusal and the member of staff refusing the sale. The DPS must monitor the log on a regular basis and sign it to show it has been done. The log must be kept on the premises during opening hours and must be made available on request to an officer of a Responsible Authority.
6. Evidential quality CCTV should be installed and maintained to a high standard, with images/recordings to be kept for 31 days and to be made available upon request to an officer from a Responsible Authority. At any time there should be at least one member of staff available to download CCTV. CCTV should cover entry and exit points of the premises, areas where alcohol is served and money is taken and all areas to which the public have access.
7. The DPS must have responsibility for the day to management of the sale of alcohol.
The Sub-Committee urged the Premises Licence Holder to ensure that he operates the premises in accordance with the law and more specifically, in accordance with the conditions of the Premises Licence. They advised that it is extremely likely that, should the licence be further reviewed for similar reasons, it would be revoked. The Sub-Committee further noted that the Premises Licence Holder had expressed remorse for the under-age sales, wished to put the matter behind him and improve the business.
The above actions are considered necessary and proportionate for the promotion of the protection of children from harm licensing objective.
An appeal may be made to the Magistrates’ Court against the decision by the applicant, the holder of the Premises Licence or any other person who made a relevant representation within 21 days from the date of receipt of written notice of this decision.