A County Durham shop caught selling booze to children and employing an illegal worker has had its licence revoked.
This week, Durham County Council's Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee discussed the future of the News and Booze store, in Catherine Terrace, New Kyo, Stanley.
Council licensing officers launched a review of the shop's premises licence following concerns over alcohol sales and management practices.
The review was backed by the council's environmental health team, Trading Standards, Durham Constabulary and Durham's Local Safeguarding Children Board.
Councillors heard the shop had failed three test purchases since 2016 which, according to officers, undermined licensing rules around protecting children from harm.
Other issues included the shop operating without a designated premises supervisor (DPS) for a number of years.
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And premises licence holder, Shadab Azam, was also fined £10,000 after immigration officers found an illegal worker at the site in December last year.
In their representations, Trading Standards said underage alcohol sales were a major cause of anti-social behaviour in the area and made calls for the management around alcohol sales to be addressed.
In an apology for the failed test purchases, he told the licensing hearing he was facing "family problems", but stressed new measures had been put in place at the shop.
This included a 'Challenge 25' policy, checks for new staff and improved CCTV.
While Mr Azam disputed the person found in the immigration raid was 'working' - and only living at the premises - he said he had no intention to appeal the £10,000 fine.
However, councillors remained unconvinced.
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Following discussion, the licensing committee agreed to revoke the premises licence.
Coun Pauline Crathorne, reading the verdict, said the committee had considered guidance around immigration enforcement, sale of alcohol to children and council licensing policy.
"We recognise that there have been multiple failures with an accumulative effect," she said.
"We are not satisfied that you have put steps into place to promote the licensing objectives and (the) clear lack of training for alcohol sales and that is a great concern."
The applicant has a right to appeal the council licensing decision if he chooses to do so.
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