A CONVENIENCE store has been stripped of its licence to sell alcohol.

Managers at Premier Stores, in Winchester Street, were warned several times they were failing to comply with their licence and there were numerous breaches dating back to 2013, councillors at a Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) meeting heard on Monday, 30 October.

Hampshire Constabulary called for license holder Shanmukha Gunda to have his right to sell alcohol revoked after ignoring instructions from both the police and BDBC licensing officers.

Police asked councillors to revoke the license on the grounds that the store was not promoting the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and protecting children from harm.

At the licensing sub-committee meeting, Hampshire Constabulary licensing officer Claire Wanless said: “He (Mr Gunda) has been given advice and support on numerous occasions, but ultimately it is down to the licence holder to take responsibility for the running of their store.”

Supporting the application to revoke the license, BDBC licencing officer Karen Hill added: “On a routine visit in September 2013, despite being told alcohol had to be covered with a curtain it was still clearly out on display and the member of staff on duty continued to sell alcohol despite there being no licence holder on the premises.”

A report presented to councillors stated Mr Gunda was selling alcohol and cigarettes to a known street drinker, who was then seen handing the goods to children in school uniform.

Representing Mr Gunda, Winston Brown said the store had taken steps to bring in a new designated premises supervisor (DPS) and Mr Gunda would no longer have anything to do with the day-to-day running of the store.

Mr Brown said: “At the moment this is the families’ livelihood and they would rather someone else run the business than lose their income.”

Councillors opted to revoke Mr Gunda’s license. In the decision notice, chair of the sub-committee, Councillor Diane Taylor said: “It is the opinion of the licensing sub committee that the poor management and lax approach to the responsibility of alcohol sales is so established at this premises that it must cease.”

Mr Gunda has 21 days to decide if he wishes to appeal the decision.

Hampshire Constabulary Inspector Ben Taylor said: “I am very pleased with the council’s decision to revoke the licence for this premises.

“The owner’s failings, which has included the sale of alcohol and cigarettes to those underage, have directly contributed to antisocial behaviour and disorder in the town centre. I believe this sends a strong message that poor management of licensed premises will not be tolerated."