PUB SOLD BOOZE TO UNDERAGE DRINKERS

RESIDENTS have rallied around a village pub which has been caught selling alcohol to underage drinkers.

Cheshire East Council is to review the licence at The Fox Inn, Elworth, after underage customers sent in by police were served alcohol.

But neighbours of the London Road pub, which had stood empty for months before being taken over by two new landlords a year ago, say there has been a vast improvement.

They say a new chef has been brought in and the pub has built up a local clientele who appreciate the traditional food, real ale, live music and quiz nights.

Nick Woods, aged 55, of Station View, said: "The pub used to attract a lot of rowdiness but since the new landlords have taken it over it has attracted a much better clientele.

"I would be upset if they had to close. The underage sale must have been a one-off mistake."

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "It's a locals' pub with a good atmosphere and I've never seen any teenagers hanging around."

Despite that, the council's licensing committee will review the pub's licence next Monday.

It comes after Cheshire Police sent two underage girls into the pub in December.

Both were given drinks without being challenged.

The staff member who served them has since been fined £80, but a report to the council said that the premises supervisor at the time was believed to be "drunk and aggressive".

Dave Smethurst, licensing officer at Sandbach Police Station, stated: "Present when the test took place was the designated premises supervisor.

"Sergeant Penny Jones formed the opinion he was drunk and his attitude was belligerent and aggressive.

"Police are seeking a condition be attached to the licence that Challenge 25 is operated and the premises supervisor, Kenneth John Bailey, is removed from that position."

In a letter to the committee, Mr Bailey stated that the pub, which is owned by Punch Taverns, "regrettably failed a test purchase" and now had a Challenge 25 system in place.

He added: "This is not common practice and the person who served is normally very conscientious and alert.

"We have taken more steps to prevent this from happening.

Mr Bailey was not available for comment last night.