Licensing threat to Unicorn pub
A PUB'S licence will be reviewed after a barmaid was caught selling alcohol to an underage girl.
Police sent a girl aged under 18 into The Unicorn Inn in Hanley earlier this year to see if she could buy an alcoholic drink.
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WARNING: Landlord Matt Taylor, whose licence is to be reviewed after an underage girl was served alcohol. Picture: Shaun Smith
And she was served during the February 'test purchase', meaning landlord Matt Taylor received a warning and the barmaid was fined.
Mr Taylor has been the licensee of the pub, which is owned by Punch Taverns, for seven years.
He told The Sentinel his licence is now being reviewed as a result of the police operation.
Mr Taylor said: "Anyone who uses the pub will know it is certainly not a place in which underage drinking takes place, nor is it a place in which there is ever any trouble.
"Compared to other pubs in Hanley it is a 'safe haven' and that's why people come to drink here.
"The test purchase caught us off guard, because we do not have underage drinkers in here.
"The barmaid thought the girl looked over 18.
"It is not the type of pub young girls would drink in. It was an isolated incident and I was told afterwards by the police they would be taking no further action, but the next thing I know my licence is being reviewed."
Mr Taylor, from Hanley, said: "I have had a clean licence at the pub for seven years and the police have only ever been called once during that time.
"The pub has an impeccable record. I don't understand why the police are targeting a bar which has caused them no nuisance and the public no harm, when there are countless bars in Hanley which proliferate a culture of binge drinking, fighting and drunken behaviour, as well as underage drinking."
Mr Taylor, who also runs The Oxford Arms in May Bank, Newcastle, said he had now enforced stricter policies on checking customers are aged 18 and over.
The 33-year-old said: "If you look under 25, you will be asked for ID.
"I've spoken to the staff to make them aware of the situation. It's the only way we can ensure this doesn't happen again in the future."
Sergeant Dave Wright, licensing manager for Stoke-on-Trent division, said The Unicorn was one of several to be visited as part of the test purchase operation.
And it is one of 14 currently having licenses reviewed as unannounced test purchases continue to take place.
Sgt Wright said: "Selling alcohol to those underage is a serious offence and has strong links to violence and anti-social behaviour.
"A test purchase was carried out at this location and a sale achieved where underage persons bought alcohol.
"This identified serious failings on behalf of the licensee, who had staff working there who had no training whatsoever in relation to underage sales.
"In line with Government recommendations, the premise license is being reviewed to ensure appropriate conditions are attached to it which will be mandatory – including the training of staff and an appropriate CCTV system."
A licensing hearing at Stoke-on-Trent City Council is expected to take place in three weeks' time.
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5 Comments
by Warren, Meir
Monday, September 14 2009, 6:30PM
“Best pub in the city. Never any problems, more then what can be said for 90% of the overpriced dives in the city center. I think the police sould stop the easy target poping and get in some bars, past the bouncers and ask the question 'What are you doing selling beer to that person who is already drunk anyway' They sould also start a crimanel investergation in the price of drinks in the Regent bar.”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Thursday, September 03 2009, 3:08PM
“From a friends experience in the licencing trade "mystery customers" are not allowed to wear make up, etc. to make them look older but they do dress as they might be expected to if they were 18.
Now that the powers that be are targetting premises for under age drinking how about targetting premises that are serving people who are already drunk? That would soon put a stop to the chaos in town centres on a Friday and Saturday evenings!”
by William Read, Stafford
Thursday, September 03 2009, 2:25PM
“Responding to Kevin B, Hanley, I am certain that under age sales mystery shoppers are not permitted any make-up etc to try and look older than they are. Photographs are taken of each msyery shopper immediately before a visit to a premises to test for under-age sales. Of course, such test purchases are not just confined to pubs; identical test purchases are made by young people in supermarkets, off licenses and other shops selling alcohol cigarettes, knives, fireworks and other age-restricted items. I agree that premises known/suspected of under-age sales should be targeted by mystery shoppers, but the test programme should cover all premises eventually.”
by james conway, stoke
Thursday, September 03 2009, 1:10PM
“The unicorn hanley the best place to go in town and have a quiet drink and have a chat with friends without feeling your going to get your head knocked off.Been there lots of times and had a good night no trouble or young idiots running around leave that to the colourful bar down the road which every weekend has a heavy police presents outside.In my opinion the girl in who served the under 18 has had a fine and has been delt with end of story.If every pub was like the unicorn mr policeman could spend more time catching real criminals instead of an easy target.”
by Kevin B, Hanley
Thursday, September 03 2009, 12:49PM
“The action of the police here is appalling. There is never trouble at this pub & they are guilty of entrapment. I bet the girl was made up to look much older too. This is not a pub that attracts the underage.
Yet I find it difficult to get the police to attend the scene of a crime within 400 yards of the police station.”