Twickenham newsagents under review for selling alcohol to children

By The Editor

13th Aug 2021 | Local News

A Twickenham newsagents is having its alcohol license reviewed after concerns of staff selling alcohol to underage children and concerned residents are now invited to make a representation.

Residents first raised concerns about News and Booze at 62 Hampton Road to local police, leading to an Alcohol Test Purchase Operation on June 2 when an underage customer attempted to buy age-restricted goods – which the shop failed.

These concerns and the shop's failure to pass the test purchase led Licensing Officer John McGann to apply for a review of the shop's license.

The licensee was also given a £90 fine following the failed test purchase.

Mr McGann said: "Richmond Police Licensing takes a proactive approach in dealing with shops suspected of selling alcohol to children.

"We conduct test purchase operations on a regular basis and any shop failing will risk their licence being reviewed which could then be revoked.

"Any parents who have concerns about any shop should report their concerns to police via 101 or on the Met Police Website."

Those wishing to make a representation about the review of News and Booze must do so before July 7.

To make a representation, email: [email protected] or write to:

The Licensing Authority,

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames c/o the London Borough of Merton,

2nd Floor,

Merton Civic Centre,

London Road,

Morden,

SM4 5DX

Representations are public, and cannot be made anonymously.

A representation must contain your full name, address and postcode.

It must be relevant to at least one of the four licensing objectives which are:

1) Prevention of crime and disorder

2) Public safety

3) Prevention of public nuisance

4) Protection of children from harm

More information about making a representation can be found here.

If the review request is accepted there will be a hearing to consider the application, following which the licensing authority can: modify or add conditions to the licence, exclude a licensable activity from the licence, remove the designated premises supervisor, suspend the licence for a period (not exceeding 3 months), or revoke the licence.

More information about representations and hearings can be found in this document.

More about alcohol licensing can be found here.

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