Cheltenham shop caught selling alcohol and vapes to children
Police are asking council chiefs to review their license
A Cheltenham convenience store could be stripped of its licence to sell booze after it sold alcohol and vapes to children.
Gloucestershire Constabulary has called on council chiefs to review the premises licence for Bargain Beer and Wines, known as Bargain Booze, at 216 – 218 Hewlett Road.
Police are calling for the review due to persistently selling alcohol to children over three months between April and June.
The report to be presented to Cheltenham Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee says the premises sold alcohol to a minor.
The designated premises supervisor conducted the sale and a separate member of staff failed a test purchase operation by selling alcohol to a 16 year old tester, according to the report.
The police say they have adopted a staged approach and made efforts to deal with the concerns at a local level.
This included a police constable visiting the store in person twice, giving two written warnings and having numerous phone calls and emails with the designated premises supervisor (DPS).
Dalwinder Kaur, the premises licence holder, who is also the DPS since 2021, has failed to demonstrate that she can run a safe and responsible premises and has failed to address the issue, according to the police.
The shop was also caught selling e-cigarettes to minors on May 28 according to Gloucestershire Trading Standards.
This was done as part of a wider project testing various shops’ procedures in selling vapes.
Two 17-year-old volunteers entered Bargain Beers and Wines to attempt to buy a disposable vape.
“Officers were able to witness the volunteers both inside and outside the store to provide a full picture on any interaction which occurred,” Trading Standards officers said.
“The volunteers approached the counter after entry and spoke with an older Sikh male behind the counter.
“The cadets pointed to the vape they wanted, the male took the vape and scanned it through the till. The cost of the vape was £6.50.
“The volunteer handed over a £10 note and received £3.50 change along with the vape. The volunteers then left the store.
“At no point during the transaction were any questions directed to the volunteers as to their age or whether they had identification.”
Bargain Booze has been approached for comment. The licensing sub-committee will consider the licence review at their meeting on September 4.