JD Wetherspoon shuts pub after underage sales

A JD Wetherspoon pub is to close for three days after it served underage drinkers on two separate occasions.

The Lynd Cross in Horsham, Sussex will close between 14 January and 17 January for staff re-training following the test purchase failures.

"This was a sensible way of dealing with an ongoing problem,"​ said Inspector Martin Pattenden.

"We believe this temporary closure is necessary to break the link between the purchase and consumption of alcohol by persons under 18.​

"It will also allow time for the retraining of staff in preventing underage sales, drunkenness and drug taking in the premises."

JDW operations director Nathan Wall said the chain was very happy to work with police to solve the problem at the Lynd Cross - which it opened ten years ago.

"Clearly the incidents brought to our attention in this case were regrettable. ​

"JD Wetherspoon has an excellent reputation for responsible retailing and was the first company to publish a wide ranging responsible drinking policy in 2005 in response to the national concerns of the public over irresponsible alcohol retailing.

"This set several benchmarks which many other retailers have now followed including the introduction of a Challenge 21 proof of age scheme."