Somerset shop may lose licence over underage sales of alcohol and vapes

Somerset shop accused of selling Jack Daniel’s to a 15-year-old could lose licence, stated recent reports.

Nailsea International Stores has been accused of selling spirits and vape products to underage kids, stated local reports.

Nailsea School said Nailsea International Stores was causing “huge” safeguarding concerns and putting its students at risk.

Local reports cited a mother who told Avon and Somerset Police that her 15-year-old son had bought vodka and Jack Daniel’s from the shop, where staff made no attempt to check his age. She said it was “common knowledge” among the boy’s school friends that “anyone underage” could get served alcohol, especially on a Friday, and two underage school girls had bought vapes during his visit, reports said.

When trading standards investigated, the store’s licence holder Nadjet Mosher was seen putting his car keys in a bin. Two large holdalls were reportedly found on the back seats of his Vauxhall Astra containing a large amount of illegal tobacco.

Izzie O’Connor, the pastoral and wellbeing manager at Nailsea School, said it had been causing daily issues. “As a school we put the safety of our students first and this shop is having a detrimental impact on our students and how they are acting in the community due to this store,” she said.

One resident who complained about the “strangely dark, camouflaged” shop said the stairwell outside “reeks of cannabis” and there is often a crowd of 10 or more “somewhat arrogant, rude and threatening” youths, reports said.

The business secured a licence in November 2020 to sell alcohol from 8am until 8pm. Mr Mosher also has a shop in Filton in Bristol.