Shop’s Alcohol Licence
Removed |
26 Oct 2007 |
A South Shields off licence has had its permission
to sell alcohol withdrawn indefinitely after becoming
a focal point for anti-social behaviour.
Gurnams store, in Marsden Road, Horsley Hill, has
been caught selling alcohol to children on four separate
occasions.
Fed-up residents have reported gangs of drunken youths
gathering in the area, intimidating passers by, smashing
bottles and urinating in the street.
Gurnams licensee, Kavel Shabilla, has previous convictions
for underage sales, and has once had her personal licence
suspended temporarily.
At a hearing of South Tyneside Council's Licensing
Sub-Committee on Monday (October 22), councillors ordered
that Shabilla's premises licence be revoked.
Councillor Tom Hanson, who chaired the Sub-Committee,
said: "We will not tolerate the sale of alcohol
to underage children. Not only does it harm our children,
it is the root of all sorts of problems, most notably,
anti-social behaviour.
"The Sub-Committee heard that there had been
problems of alcohol related youth disorder in the Marsden
Road area, and members were satisfied that the sale
of alcohol from Gurnams store had contributed significantly
to this. The Sub-Committee considered it was necessary
to exercise its power to revoke the Licence."
The decision has been welcomed by Horsley Hill ward
councillors, Arthur Meeks, Eileen Leask and Iain Malcolm.
Councillor Arthur Meeks said: "This should serve
as a warning to any premises that continues to sell
alcohol to underage children - it is only a matter
of time before you are caught. Local people have suffered
long enough through the irresponsible actions of this
particular store, and they do not have to put up with
behaviour that ruins their quality of life.
"Underage alcohol sales invariably result in
serious problems for the community, and we have a duty
to prevent the harm such sales cause to our children.
This decision sends out a clear message to retailers
that we can and will take tough action whenever we
come across this unacceptable activity."
The action is the result of partnership working between
Northumbria Police and a number of Council teams, including
Trading Standards, Licensing, Community Safety, the
Community Wardens and Legal Services.
Peter Sutton, the neighbourhood police inspector for
the area, said: "Premises supplying alcohol either
directly or indirectly to underage persons will continue
to be the focus for attention by police and partner
agencies. Every underage youth prevented from consuming
alcohol, means potentially one less victim of criminal
damage or anti social behaviour. The link can be as
simple as that.
"This excellent result should firstly reassure
the public how serious all agencies take this issue
and also send out a message to all off licences that
they hold a position of responsibility and will be
held liable if they abuse it."
Anyone with information about alcohol being sold illegally
to children should contact the confidential hotline
number 0800 093 5878.
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