The shop was caught in an undercover sting that tested several shops around Wolverhampton last year
A city shop had its licence suspended for a month after being caught selling cans of cider to a 14-year-old.
Wood End Wines in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton, was hit with a 31-day suspension by City of Wolverhampton Council after after selling alcohol to the child in an undercover sting last November.
Wolverhampton Trading Standards said the child was able to buy the alcohol unchallenged.
The council said it had “serious concerns” that Wood End Wines owner and licence holder Lavinder Pal Banga was not upholding the licensing objectives and “putting the public at risk.”
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At the licensing hearing, councillors heard from Rob Edge, who was representing Mr Banga, who said it was the first time the shop owner had been involved in such an incident in 15 years.
The committee ruled the shop’s off-licence would be suspended for 31 days and Mr Banga was also told to buy an electronic till.
Wood End Wines was among several businesses inspected across Wolverhampton on the same day last year to make sure they were carrying out age checks on restricted products, the council said.
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The council said the 14-year-old volunteer, who had been refused in other shops earlier in the day, was able to buy a four-pack of strawberry Strongbow cider – with the sale witnessed by council and Trading Standards staff.
The council said this breached the key licensing rules designed to protect children from harm and prevent crime and disorder.
The early recommendation from Trading Standards called for Wood End Wines’ licence to be suspended by councillors by up to three months.
The off-licence has since signed an agreement with Trading Standards, Public Health and West Midlands Police over suspending the licence for a week to allow for training – a move that had “allayed previous fears and concerns” and might have prevented the hearing from going ahead.
However, City of Wolverhampton Council’s licensing department has stood firm and said it would not withdraw its objection – saying the hearing should still go ahead.
The licensing committee met at the Civic Centre in Wolverhampton on January 24 where it decided to suspend the licence.