A shop in Ealing is having its premises licence up for review today (4 December) after being caught selling beer to a 15-year-old boy.

Ealing Council's Licensing Sub-Committee will review the premises licence of St Johns Mini Mart in Mattock Lane, Ealing following a failed council underage test purchase at the shop earlier this year.

Officers from the council's Trading Standards & Licensing team sent a 15-year-old volunteer into St Johns Mini Mart on Wednesday, 21 August 2024 to buy a single bottle of beer.

After taking the 330cl bottle of Corona to the counter, the teenager was allowed to purchase the larger and leave the store.

In his report Licensing Officer, Robert Dear, wrote: "He (the 15-year-old volunteer) went to the small fridge to the rear of the shop on the left hand side and selected a single 330cl bottle of Corona.

"He took it to the counter and handed over a bank note to the lone male working behind the counter, he was not asked his age or for any form of ID.

"He left the shop and returned to our location where the bottle was placed in a plastic evidence bag and sealed."

The man behind the counter, Nutan Mansukhbhai Borad, was then approached by licensing officers who told him that he had just sold beer to an underage person.

Officers noted that "it was clear that he (the shopkeeper) had received no form of licensing training" and the sale was made despite two Challenge 25 posters displayed in the mini mart. 

Subsequently Mr Borad told officers that the owner, Rawinder Singh, was away in India and they had purchased the premises although the officers found no records of this.

Mr Dear added: "The Premises Licence Holder are failing to promote the Prevention of Crime and Disorder Licensing and the protection of Children from harm objectives.

"The volunteer was clearly under 18 years of age, was not asked for any ID and the staff member alone on the premises was not suitably trained.

"In total 10 conditions were being breached out of the 22 conditions on the premises licence.

"Due to the above incidents and the obvious disregard for the law I would ask that the ultimate sanction open to committee be exercised and the Premises Licence be revoked."

Council records show that St Johns Mini Mart has been licensed since 14 November 2012 and the premises licence was transferred on 26 August 2019 to Mr Gagan Singh Arora and the Designated Premises Supervisor is Didar Singh Arora.

To find out more and to watch today's licensing sub-committee meeting click here.

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