A Gateshead corner shop has had its licence to sell alcohol revoked after staff were caught selling alcohol to a 15-year-old child.
According to council documents: “On 24th February 2022, a test purchase exercise using a 15-year-old child volunteer was carried out at the premises and the child was sold a bottle of Desperados Beer. This is an alcoholic beverage containing 5.9% alcohol.”
Gateshead council’s licensing subcommittee heard representations and concerns from police, public health officers, and a local councillor about Sheriffs Highway Stores. Public health officers reminded the committee of the consequences of underage drinking including contributing to mental health problems and poor academic performance.
Councillor Dawn Welsh, a resident of Low Fell, told the subcommittee: “With regards to the sale of alcohol, I would like to suggest to the committee this is not an isolated incident and it’s an ongoing issue and has been for some time.
“I’m the mother of a 14 year old boy who went to primary school in Low Fell. I know most of the 14,15,16-year-old boys in Low Fell, I know where they live, I know how far they travel and I see them in the churchyard.
“The only reason they travel up from where they live is to visit the shop that will sell them alcohol and end up in St John's Churchyard. Their parents as residents have raised the issue with me because they don't want shops selling alcohol to their 15-16-year-old sons.
“So with regards to protection of children I have real concerns this shop is contributing to the issues public health have outlined.”
The council representatives also expressed concern regarding the shop’s CCTV equipment and questioned whether staff could operate it sufficiently.
Sheriffs Highway Stores’ director, Mr Jafaar Jafaar, and his business partner Mr Farhad Jamnejad, were present to offer explanations and promises to the committee to allow them to keep trading.
Mr Jafaar said: “There have been some mistakes that did happen, I didn't deny it. I said we will rectify all the conditions. If there are any other things you want me to implement I will comply with them.
“The decision at the end of the day is yours but as I have said many times, it has to be proportionate.”
The committee adjourned and informed Mr Jafaar and Mr Jamnejad the shop’s licence to sell alcohol had been revoked and they had 21 days to launch an appeal.
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