A town centre pub has been shut down by police for “persistently” selling alcohol to children.
The Bear, in Sheep Street, which is owned by Enterprise Inns, has been closed for two weeks along with Booze & Stuff, in St Leonard’s Road, Far Cotton. Both premises will be closed for a fortnight between noon on Friday and November 9.
Licensing and Nightsafe sergeant Mark Worthington said: “I am pleased that the majority of licensed premises that we checked either refused sales outright or asked the test purchasers for ID, this is all we ask them to do.
“Young people now expect to be challenged when buying alcohol and other age-restricted goods.
“The police, together with our partners in Trading Standards, have been educating both sectors of the trade (on and off licences) regarding the necessity to get their staff to ask for ID.
“Those that fail to do this must expect us to use all the powers available to us and for those that fail repeatedly the most severe punishment will be sought.
“It is recognised that selling alcohol to those under age is a serious matter and has knock-on consequences, not only for the health and well being of young people but also in relation to fuelling crime and anti-social behaviour.
“To close a pub and an off licence for two weeks at a busy time of the year will result in a significant financial penalty for these businesses and I do hope that they learn their lesson.
“We will continue with these tactics in the run up to Christmas so we would remind the trade to operate Challenge 21/25 so they don’t all foul of any operations we conduct.”
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