A SHOP could lose its alcohol licence over an allegation it sold spirits to an 14-year-old.

The Money Saver convenience store in Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, faces a review of its permit to sell booze by councillors tomorrow.

Sam McConnell, of Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards, has asked Hyndburn Council’s licensing sub-committee to look at the issue.

It follows a complaint to the police that the shop had sold alcohol to a vulnerable 14-year-old boy who confirmed the allegation to his key worker.

Mr McConnell’s submission to the sub-committee said: “This area of Clayton-le-Moors has had numerous complaints of anti-social behaviour involving young people drinking, taking drugs and causing distress to local residents to the extent that a multi-agency group has been developed to reduce this type of behaviour.

“It was confirmed that the that the young person had admitted to his keyworker that on April 14 2021 between 8pm and 8.15pm he had purchased a bottle of vodka, a small bottle of whisky and various mixers from Money Saver.

“During the transaction he stated the server locked the front door of the premises and turned off the CCTV camera. The practice of locking the premises and turning off the CCTV system not only compounds the offences of under-age sales but also gives great concerns to the wider health and wellbeing of those young people locked in the premises.”

The sub-committee has powers to revoke the alcohol licence of the shop owner by Mohammed Adnan, modify its conditions, suspend it for three months or remove the designated premises supervisor (DPS) Mohammed Rizwan, from Crawshawbooth, who holds the same post at the Rossendale Convenience store in that village .

Mr Adnan said: “I deny it. We never sold it.”

A letter to the committee from the police's East division licensing sergeant Gary Hennighan says: “The police are supporting this review formally as we have concerns that the prevention of children from harm licensing objective has been undermined at the premises.

“This is around the issues of underage sales and protecting vulnerable children.

“We are aware of three concerning incidents involving children potentially being exposed to harm."