Friargate is seen as the second street of the city by many after Fishergate

A Preston off-licence’s opening hours have been slashed by councillors.

The city council’s licensing sub-committee chose to reduce the time Best One, or Friargate Newsagent, on Friargate, can open and sell alcohol.

It follows a spate of incidents related to alcohol happening in and around the newsagent, and the sale of booze to teenagers – as it failed Lancashire Police’s test purchase scheme.

A report from licensing sergeant John Lovick details a string of failed test purchases, where police send in a child with the intention of buying alcohol, and incidents of disorder relating to the business.

The report shows a total of 15 incidents relating to the sale of alcohol dating back to June 2012.

Best One had previously been allowed to open and sell alcohol nearly 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

It will now have to close at 2am every morning and re-open at 7am, its alcohol licence follows the opening hours.

After 11pm every night it will also need to conduct its sales through a night door, rather than letting customers browse the store.

Councillors have also stressed the owners must have proper CCTV systems in place and keep a log book of any rejected sales.