Underage Liquor Sales Earn Seven-Day Suspension

A Flaxmere bottle store has been ordered to close for seven days after the premises were caught selling alcohol to underage purchasers.

The Liquor Licensing Authority has suspended the off-licence of the Liquor Plus bottle store, from 7am on Monday 22 September 2008 to 7am Monday 29 September.

This suspension is the result of a combined operation in July by Police, Hastings District Council and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, when ten premises were visited.

Hastings District Council’s Community Safety Manager Malcom Hart said that the store not only sold alcohol to underage purchasers, but had no duty manager on the premises at the time.

“This period of suspension is a significant penalty and is a reflection of the fact there have been previous unlawful sales at the premises. Police and Council’s liquor licensing inspector have even conducted a training session at the store in an attempt to lift standards.”

Mr Hart said ‘liquor stings’ would continue across the district, to ensure alcohol retailers remained vigilant about checking identification.