Worthing shop’s licence in the balance after failed test sale

West Sussex Trading Standards is calling for a Worthing shop’s alcohol licence to be revoked after it failed a test sale.

Trading Standards is calling on Worthing Borough Council to revoke the alcohol licence held by Om Food & Wine, at 123 Clifton Road.

This comes after a volunteer under 18 was able to buy an age restricted product, such as alcohol, tobacco or e cigarettes, from the store.

Currently, Om Food & Wine can sell alcohol between 8am and 11pm Monday to Saturday and between 10am and 11pm on Sundays.

But West Sussex Trading Standards wants this permission to be revoked due to the failed test sale and the fact that it had issued the store with advice on under-age sales before it took place.

The regulator says the shop has ‘undermined’ key licensing objectives including the ‘prevention of crime and disorder’ and ‘the protection of children from harm’.

Worthing Borough Council will now review the store’s alcohol licence and its licensing committee is expected to make a decision at a hearing in May.