Store under review after selling alcohol to minors

Bargain Beer and Wines was found to have sold alcohol to children in test purchases

A convenience store could lose its alcohol license after it was found to be selling alcohol and vapes to children.

Gloucestershire Constabulary are calling for the review of Bargain Beer and Wines, known as Bargain Booze, in Cheltenham.

They said the store made the sales over three months between April and June, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

According to their report, the shop failed a test purchase operation by selling alcohol to a 16-year-old tester. Bargain Booze has been approached for a comment.

The force said it initially adopted a staged approach and made efforts to deal with the concerns at a local level by having a police constable visit the store in person twice.

Two written warnings, and numerous phone calls and emails were sent to the designated premises supervisor.

It said Dalwinder Kaur, the premises licence holder since 2021, has failed to address the issue.

The shop was also caught selling e-cigarettes to minors on 28 May, when Gloucestershire Trading Standards tested shops’ procedures for selling vapes.

Two 17-year-old volunteers attempted 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 cadets pointed to the vape they wanted, the male took the vape and scanned it through the till.

“At no point during the transaction were any questions directed to the volunteers as to their age or whether they had identification.”

Gloucestershire County Council's licensing sub-committee will consider the licence review at their meeting on September 4.