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The courts have backed a Council decision to revoke an Erith store’s licence to sell alcohol.
Bexley Magistrates upheld Bexley Council’s decision to revoke the licence that allowed alcohol to be sold at TJ’s Superstore, 49 North End Road, Erith.
In March this year Bexley Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee heard evidence from the Police and local residents that alcohol was being sold at the premises to under age youths. The availability of alcohol had led to groups, sometimes as many as 70 young people, congregating in the nearby Arthur Street playground, drinking and causing criminal damage, nuisance and disorder.
The situation had got so bad that on 17 February 2006 the police served a closure order on the owner of TJ’s Superstore, Mr Teja Singh Sahota, which forced the premises to remain closed for 24 hours. The order was re-issued by the police 24 hours later on Saturday 18 February.
After hearing the evidence the Council decided to revoke the licence, however the premises owner lodged an appeal with Bexley Magistrates’ Court.
On 11 July 2006, after a two-day hearing, Bexley Magistrates dismissed Mr Teja Singh Sahota’s appeal and upheld the Council’s decision.
Councillor Michael Slaughter, Chairman of the Council’s Licensing Committee, says: “This shows the Council, police and courts working together to tackle alcohol related disorder, to protect the welfare of the young people of the borough and act on the worries of local residents. The police took positive action to deal with a problem, the Council acted on the evidence provided and the courts supported the Council by upholding its decision.”
Sergeant Ross McKibbin of the Slade Green Safer Neighbourhood Team says: “I am very pleased with this result. I believe that this sends out a clear message that under age drinking and the problems associated with it will not be tolerated in Bexley borough. Licensees have a clear responsibility to uphold the law. If they feel intimidated into serving alcohol they must work with us to help resolve the problem. By working together we can reduce the need to use such legislation in the future”
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