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Bar has drinks licence suspended
A WHITLEY Bay nightspot has had its licence suspended following test purchases on under-age drinking.
Banana Jo's in South Parade was the subject of a North Tyneside Council licensing sub-committee hearing on Wednesday.
The hearing heard how staff at the bar had allowed an under-age girl into the premises and served her alcohol on more than one occasion.
The teenager was a test purchase operative (TPO) was working with police as they sought to revoke the bar's licence.
But committee members chose to suspend the drinking licence for a period of three months.
The organisation is now expected to lodge an appeal against the decision.
Two TPOs were used in the operation, one a 16-year-old girl and another aged 15.
Both girls tried twice to get into the premises on two separate occasions, and while the 16-year-old wasn't challenged by door staff or bar staff on either dates, the 15-year-old was refused entry one week, and then challenged about her age at the bar the next week.
The hearing heard how on May 6 this year, the 16-year-old was sold two bottles of Budweiser, and a week later she was sold two bottles of Smirnoff Ice, two vodka and lemonades, and two gin and cokes in three separate rounds.
She was also given two free shots when she was at the bar for one round.
Jonathan Rodger, representing Northumbria Police, said the bar acted irresponsibly and accused management of not taking their role seriously enough.
But David Kell who manages the bar said there was no science to working out how old a customer was, and that his staff had to make a judgement call.
He said all staff were made aware of the Challenge 21 policy when they started employment at the bar, and suggested there was little else he or his staff could do.
Coun Les Birkenfield said the bar had to impose a Challenge 25 policy to its customers once the suspension has run.
The bar has 21 days to appeal the decision.
Sergeant Dave Foy, of Whitley Bay neighbourhood policing team, said after the hearing: "Clearly the management of Banana Jo's have not taken their responsibilities seriously enough and have failed to learn from an earlier review.
"We hope the action of suspending Banana Jo's licence to sell alcohol will clearly demonstrate to others the importance in consistently checking their customers are old enough to legally buy drink.
"We hope this stiff penalty will have a sobering effect on other premises and remind them of the importance of working within the law. "Children under 18 are not permitted by law to buy alcohol in licensed premises.
"Staff know this and must always ask a customer for proof of age if they're not sure a customer is over 18. If they fail to make this simple check then they are liable to face a 80 fine.
"We know that under-age youngsters who drink alcohol are much more likely to become involved in anti-social behaviour and disorder, so it's important we enforce the law and take the necessary steps to stop them getting access to alcohol.
"Northumbria Police works closely with licensed premises through regular visits and via Pubwatch.
"We know the vast majority of premises do take this issue seriously and make sure they ask for proof of age from younger looking customers.
"We will continue to run these operations in the future and will also monitor premises which sell alcohol."
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Weather for Whitley Bay
Saturday 11 February 2012
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Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
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