Gainsborough: Corner shop owner says he will be appealing booze ban after alcohol was sold to children

A Gainsborough corner shop has been banned from selling booze after a child had to be taken to hospital following an alcohol sale from the store.
Strafford Street Corner Shop, Gainsborough. Picture: Marie Caley NGAS Corner Shop MC 2Strafford Street Corner Shop, Gainsborough. Picture: Marie Caley NGAS Corner Shop MC 2
Strafford Street Corner Shop, Gainsborough. Picture: Marie Caley NGAS Corner Shop MC 2

Following the incident, two underage volunteers, both aged 16, entered Strafford Street Corner Shop, Strafford Street, and were also sold alcohol and cigarettes.

On Tuesday, October 20, a hearing was held in front of West Lindsey District Council’s licensing sub committee.

After hearing all the evidence, members agreed with police that the premises had been undermining all four of the licensing objectives by selling alcohol to children.

The committee felt under the circumstances the most appropriate decision was to revoke the licence.

Sergeant Kim Enderby, from the alcohol licensing department at Lincolnshire Police, said: “For quite some time we had been receiving intelligence about this shop selling cigarettes and alcohol to children. It appeared to be a regular occurrence.

“In July this year we received information that a child had been taken to hospital heavily intoxicated after purchasing alcohol from the store. Because of this we arranged the test purchase operation where two of our underage volunteers were able to purchase alcohol and cigarettes.

“The shop assistant who made the sale was also found to be an immigration offender, awaiting deportation and barred from any kind of employment.

“Repeated attempts have been made by both the police and other agencies to educate the premises to prevent them selling in this way.

“This decision to revoke the licence sends a clear deterrent message to all stores, the message is very simple - do not sell to children. We do everything we can to promote and encourage lawful and responsible selling of alcohol. Those premises that fail or refuse to do this will have action taken against them.”

Shop owner, Ramesh Patel, said: “We will be appealing it. I’m very gutted. We have been in this town for 10 years.

“We have had trading standards checks in the past and passed them all.

There is a 21 day appeal process. If no appeal is submitted then the revocation comes into action.