Off-licence banned from selling single cans

A convenience store in Wycombe has been banned from selling single cans of beer and cider and will have to clearly label all alcoholic products with stickers, so they can be traced back to the shop.

Costcutter on Bridge Street will have to adhere to strict new conditions after police complaints that the shop was serving both underage and drunk customers.

The licensees have been told they must not sell any beer or cider over 6% abv and packs sold must contain at least four cans. All alcoholic products must be clearly labelled with the shop's identity and must be sold in a bag containing the shop's details.

Staff must implement a challenge-21 policy, undergo BII-accredited training and keep a refusals log. CCTV must also be installed at the shop and alcohol can only be sold when a premises licence holder is present.

The licensees, Mahindraja Abethan and Mahindajara Sarvaharman, complained to the licensing committee that a ban on single can sales would lead to a 50% drop in alcohol sales but failed to provide the committee with any financial details to back that claim up.

Police said they felt the "sales of single cans did attract persons who are drunk and/or causing anti-social behaviour in the vicinity to attend the shop".

However, police did fail in its bid to close Costcutter for 30 days. The licensees were told it was a "final warning" and that "if a further review is made, suspension and/or revocation should be seriously considered".