By a County Press reporter
Thursday, January 10, 2013
TWO Isle of Wight bars have been banned from selling alcohol by police after staff repeatedly served underage teens.
Foleys Bar, Shanklin, and Ryde Superbowl have been banned from selling alcohol for seven days, from January 14 and February 4 respectively. They can remain open for other lawful activities.
Both bars failed two test purchases carried out by police and trading standards officers, within a three month period, by selling alcohol to volunteers aged just 15 and 16.
Police licensing sergeant Mark Voller said: "Police view selling alcohol to juveniles as a serious matter, as reflected by the action taken against these venues. We have repeatedly warned that bar staff must carry out proof of age checks in line with the policy on the premises.
"We have found where no attempt is made to check ID the risk of making an illegal sale increases sharply. Licensees must show their staff how to check customer ID, then make sure they actually do it.
"Together with trading standards officers we have met with the licence holders for both bars, who reassured us everything possible is now being done to prevent illegal sales. We hope other Island businesses will take note of this outcome and we are keen to assist any licensee who is unsure of the law or the measures they need to put in place."
Amanda Gregory, Isle of Wight Council regulatory services manager, said: "Selling alcohol to underage people is linked to anti-social behaviour and it is very poor these two premises, which are both family venues, failed two separate test purchase operations within three months.
"I am sure this temporary sale of alcohol ban will send out a message to all licensed premises that they will get caught if they illegally sell alcohol to underage customers."