Convenience store in High Wycombe has alcohol license suspended after selling vodka to man who was already intoxicated

Following the sale of alcohol to a man who was already intoxicated, a convenience store in High Wycombe has had its license suspended for 28 days.

Mr Asghar Nejad the licence holder at Neda Stores in the High Street, High Wycombe did not appeal the decision made by Wycombe District Council’s licensing subcommittee following a review brought by Thames Valley Police on the grounds of the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

The clamp down came after Wycombe District Council had been working with all off licence premises in High Wycombe to raise their awareness and ask them to play their part helping to reduce alcohol related anti-social behaviour in the town centre.

The Council’s licensing team had worked closely with local retailers urging them to help curb street drinking in the town and reminding them that it is an offence to sell alcohol to somebody who is already intoxicated.

Despite this work, the Neda store was found to be selling alcohol to a man who was intoxicated. An off duty police officer reported seeing anti-social behaviour in the High Street on Thursday 25th October 2018.

Officers then attended and witnessed an intoxicated, shirtless man who was known to the officers. Despite requesting him to leave the town centre, they then witnessed the man go into Neda stores and leave the shop with a 33cl bottle of vodka. CCTV recordings provided by the premises and from the town centre verified the incident.

As a result, the licensing subcommittee of Wycombe District Council suspended the premises alcohol licence for 28 days.

Cabinet Member for Environment at Wycombe District Council, Cllr Julia Adey said: ‘Most of the licence holders across the district are responsible people and give us their full co-operation. However, this case shows that if a licence holder doesn’t take their social and legal responsibilities seriously, we can, and will, take action which hits their pocket, their reputation and ultimately can jeopardise their business if they will not comply with licensing laws.‘