More off licences under scrutiny

11:37am Thursday 9th October 2008

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The campaign by Bexley Council and the police to stamp out underage drinking in Bexley has seen alcohol sales at seven more of the borough’s off licences come under scrutiny by the borough’s licensing authorities in a series of hearings.

MEMBERS of the sub-committee revoked the alcohol licence at TFC in Upper Wickham Lane, Welling, saying the premises had a history of underage alcohol sales under a previous management which were still continuing.

The shop failed two test purchases in December last year and in July this year and was in breach of a number of conditions on its licence, specifically designed to stop underage sales.

The designated premises supervisor spent most of his time at other shops in the chain and a possible replacement for him was in charge when the July test purchase was made.

Members said: “The sub- committee has no confidence in the current management, nor in the suggested alternative.”

Hari Newsagents, in Midhurst Hill, Bexleyheath, lost its drinks licence after it also failed two test purchases carried out by Bexley Council in December last year and July this year.

The sub-committee heard one of the licence holders, Sellathurai Sivanesasuntharam, has already been caught twice making underage sales, and relied on friends and acquaintances, including someone he met at a cash-and-carry, to staff the shop when he was not available.

One of the staff who sold alcohol during the test purchase gave a false name and address and cannot now be traced.

Under the circumstances, the sub-committee said it had no option but to revoke the licence.

Anwer Ali, the designated premises supervisor at Euro Food and Wine in Station Road, Sidcup, was removed from the licence by the sub-committee after the shop failed a test purchase in July Members heard Mr Ali owned another shop in Croydon and a restaurant in Crystal Palace and was not in day-to-day contact with his Sidcup shop, which had a reputation for selling to underage drinkers and was in breach of its licensing conditions.

The sub-committee also decided to suspend the shop’s licence for three months to break the shop’s reputation and to give it time to implement new conditions.

The alcohol licence for Classic News and Wine in Station Road, Crayford, was suspended for a month after the sub-committee heard owners Thangarajah and Samantha Baskar admitted cans of lager had been sold to a 15-year-old boy in June, although neither of them had been present.

Crayford’s neighbourhood panel also complained about drink cans and bottles carrying the shop’s label being found at locations popular with underage drinkers.

The sub-committee decided on suspension, to allow the shop time to meet new conditions on its licence.

Mr Baskar holds the licence for neighbouring shop the Harry Off Licence, also in Station Road, which failed a test purchase in July, and where the sub-committee decided to add new conditions to the licence.

At Food Market (formerly Hardy’s Supermarket) in Lincoln Road, Slade Green, Bexley Council’s licensing sub-committee heard Nimendra Dissanayake, the designated premises supervisor, worked in Derby most of the week and was not supervising staff in the shop.

There were allegations youths had been seen hanging around outside and four complaints had been received about underage sales.

In June, the shop failed a test purchase, and the sub-committee decided Mr Dissanayake’s absence contributed to the shop’s problems and decided to remove him as designated premises supervisor and impose nine extra conditions.

The Albany Off Licence and News in Steynton Avenue, Albany Park, failed a test purchase in July but has given assurances measures are in place to stop any further underage sales.

As a result, the sub-committee decided to add eight new conditions to the licence.

All the licensees have the right to appeal.