COUNCILLORS will review a Hereford corner shop’s licence to sell alcohol after they were caught selling cans of lager to someone underage.

West Mercia Police and Trading Standards have called for a review into Oval Wines and Spirits’ licence.

Police say a 17-year-old boy bought four cans of larger from the shop using a bank card on May 19.

The bank card was later reported to have been stolen and the subsequent investigation by police established that the person was underage.

CCTV footage which was provided by the shop established the crime. It also showed that when the purchase was made the staff member who sold the cans did not ask for any proof of age identification nor was any produced by the male purchasing the alcohol.

The transaction was captured on the store’s cameras and was seen by West Mercia Police.

Trading Standards officers are calling for the alcohol licence to be suspended for three months to allow adequate time for staff to be trained in age verification policy.

The department received two complaints regarding underage sales at the premises of Oval Wine & Spirits, 14 the Oval, last year.

“The first, received on October 2, 2019, alleged that spirits were sold to an underage member of the complainant’s family,” the officer’s report reads.

“The second received from the same complainant on December 12, 2019, alleged that a sale of tobacco had taken place, again to an underage 15-year-old member of the complainant’s family.

“As a result of the second complaint, an advisory visit was carried out by Richard Alsop, Principal Trading Standards Officer on December 4, 2019.

“During this visit it was made clear to the staff present, namely the man on duty behind the serving counter and the apparently new owner/manager, of their responsibilities under the Licensing Act, the Challenge 25 condition on the licence and general advice regarding the need to ask for proof of age for all age restricted products including tobacco.

“It is with disappointment and concern that we now have actual evidence from West Mercia police regarding the breach of licence conditions and the Act itself on May 19, 2020.

“This would strongly indicate shortcomings in the management/training of staff at this premises.”

Herefordshire Council’s licensing sub-committee will consider Oval Wines and Spirits’ review at a meeting next Friday.