Accrington corner shop faces alcohol probe

8:18pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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A CORNER shop could have its alcohol licence revoked after police complaints that it was selling booze to under 18s.

Hyndburn Council will today consider action against K's Convenience, Bold Street, Accrington, after residents were plagued by young people causing a nuisance after drinking.

The licensing sub-committee has a number of options, including modifying the conditions of the licence, withdrawing it or banning the supervisor of the premises from selling booze.

But Khurram Sultan, who manages the shop on behalf of the licensee, said large groups of youths were terrorising shop assistants and stealing the drink.

PC Les Sholicar, who put in the application, said in a report tot he committee: "The premise is failing to uphold the licensing objectives in several ways.

"Sales of alcohol to persons under 18 years are reported to be made on a frequent basis.

"This, in turn, attracts large groups of juveniles have purchased and consumed the intoxicants, they behave in a disorderly manner, causing a nuisance to residents and passers-by."

Residents in Bold Street said large groups of up to 20 youths had begun congregating in the area, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings.

One 50-year-old resident said: "I don't use the shop but there are kids hanging around and stuff is being vandalised, there are smashed bottles and cans everywhere."

A 22-year-old resident said: "It is a big problem. There can be groups of 20 at a time standing outside the shop."

A 67-year-old woman said: "They have never been abusive to me but they use foul language.

"You hear some of them on the phone and that's when I've heard they are children from Clayton-le-Moors, Huncoat and Haslingden."

Khurram Sultan, who manages the shop on behalf of the licensee, said: "Two or three months ago there was a mistake and the shop worker, who is from Pakistan, misjudged the situation.

"He said he thought the girl was old enough.

"After that I told him he had to check the ID of people who are going into the shop if they are buying alcohol.

"We are not selling the alcohol to them, they are coming in the shop in groups of up to 10. They terrorise the shop assistant when I'm not there and then steal it.

"They stole a case of Stella once, then they stand outside the shop drinking it and it looks like we have sold it to them.

"We tell them to move away from the shop but kids are kids. They don't listen to anybody."