Bamber Bridge shop has alcohol licence suspended after test purchases

The shop in School Lane was visited during the underage operation by police and trading standards Pic: Google

A Bamber Bridge shop has seen its licence suspended after selling knives to children.

Following a joint operation by South Ribble Police and Lancashire Trading Standards a number of premises were visited with underage test purchaers trying to buy alcohol and knives.

School Lane Super Saver in School Lane, Bamber Bridge, failed the test purchases conducted by members of the Lancashire Police Cadets.

South Ribble Borough Council’s licensing committee on 25 July chose to suspend the premises licence of the shop to stop it selling alcohol completely.

The suspension of the premises licence will start from the end of August.

Two shops in Chorley have also seen their licences stripped by the borough council there for also failing the test purchases.

PC Ste Connolly, of South’s Licensing Team, said: “This sends a strong message that licensed premises have to uphold the licensing objectives and must trade responsibly or face the risk of a review of the licence. Whilst three premises have been reviewed as part of these test purchase operations, many more have passed by refusing to sell knives and alcohol to children.

“Licensed premises in Chorley and South Ribble are fortunate that they can access free Check 25 training and resources via Lancashire County Council Trading Standards, something that can at times can be expensive. I would encourage any licensed premises to complete such training on a regular basis to minimise the risk of children being exposed to age restricted products.”

Angela Lomax, Trading Standards Manager at Lancashire County Council said: “Lancashire’s Trading Standards team receives reports from residents who are concerned about the selling of age-restricted products including, e-cigarettes and alcohol.

“Trading Standards will work in partnership with Lancashire Constabulary to tackle retailers who ignore the legislation.

“It is important that retailers know their responsibilities and that if they chose to ignore them, they could face enforcement action.

“Working together, all partners will seek to use all of the tools at their disposal to protect children from harm.”