Royston shop will keep licence despite selling alcohol to minors

A ROYSTON shop caught selling booze to minors has kept its licence.

But Icknield Stores, in Icknield Walk, Royston, will now be subject to a series of stringent conditions suggested by Hertfordshire Police.

North Herts district council's licensing and appeals committee decided on Monday that the shop, which is operated by Gurmukh Singh, would be allowed to keep its licence to sell alcohol, and that its opening hours would remain unchanged.

However, they agreed to impose the 17-point plan suggested by police in a bid to "protect children from harm".

The conditions include the implementation of a Challenge 25 policy, which will see staff having to ask for identification from anyone they believe to be under-25 years of age, while the shop will also be required to produce closed circuit television footage to police within 24 hours if requested. A "refusals book" will also be kept on the premises note down occasions when service is denied.

Following Monday's decision, licensing officials thanked Mr Singh for his co-operation, and said: "We would like to see further test purchases carried out in due course to ensure the new conditions are being complied with."

As revealed in The Crow earlier this month, police have received several reports of alcohol being sold to underage teenagers at the store over the last couple of years.

A test purchase, carried out by police and trading standards, saw a 16-year old girl sold a bottle of Cherry Lambrini.

The police report compiled for the hearing said: "There is clear evidence that minors can easily purchase alcohol [from the shop] and therefore in all probability consume it.

"The desired outcome here is the implementation of measures that will ensure the staff robustly challenge potential under-age and proxy purchasers, and refuse to sell alcohol in such cases."

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