Pub served with closure notice
9:55am Tue Jul 13, 2010
A pub has been served with a closure notice after it was found to be selling alcohol to underage drinkers.
Ye Olde Bridge Inn, on Nottingham Road, Oxton, will be prohibited from serving alcohol from noon on Saturday until noon on Monday. However, the pub will remain open for business during this time.
A routine test purchase was carried out in March and a bar tender, who was also underage, served an alcoholic drink to a 16-year-old in the company of two plain-clothed police officers.
Three weeks later officers returned to the pub and witnessed a 15-year-old girl being sold three alcoholic beverages.
Chief Inspector Glenn Harper, of Newark Police, said: “We are carrying out a number of tests across Newark, Sherwood and Bassetlaw.
"All we expect from licensees and landlords is for their staff to ask younger drinkers whether they are over 18 and to check if they are carrying valid identification.”
Chief Superintendent Dave Wakelin, the Divisional Commander for Bassetlaw, Newark and Sherwood, said: “Having failed two tests in quick succession, we had enough evidence to invoke Section 169 of the Licensing Act 2003, Persistent Selling of Alcohol to Children, which enables us to prevent the premises selling alcohol during a specified time period.
“The staff who sold the drinks have also been issued with £80 fixed penalty notices.
“Alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour causes general misery to peaceful, law abiding people in our communities and they should not have to put up with it.
"Some young people involved in this activity are under 18 who themselves are vulnerable whilst under the influence of alcohol.
"Parents and the licensing trade, both pubs and shops, must all take their responsibility seriously around alcohol and young people.
"Underage drinking will not be tolerated in Nottinghamshire. We will continue to take action against premises found to be persistently selling alcohol to anyone underage."
Jane Levins, who runs the pub with her husband Garry, said: “We have more than 20 years of experience as responsible licensees and members of the local community.
"We have been running Ye Olde Bridge Inn for five years and were obviously disappointed to learn of the test purchases as we insist on a zero tolerance policy towards underage drinking from our staff, especially due to the number of families who dine with us.
“Since learning of this contravention we have recognised the need for more frequent staff education and with the support of the local police and the pub’s brewery have implemented a number of recognised training courses. We have also adopted the Challenge 25 policy when serving alcohol.
“We would like to assure customers that Ye Olde Bridge Inn will continue to offer responsible drinking and dining in a safe environment going forward, while food and soft drinks will be available as usual this weekend.”
