A SHOP caught selling alcohol to children and employing an illegal worker has had its licence revoked.

Durham County Council’s statutory licensing sub-committee discussed the future of the News and Booze store, in Catherine Terrace, New Kyo, Stanley earlier this week.

Council licensing officers launched a review concerns over alcohol sales and management practices were raised.

Councillors heard the shop had failed three test purchases since 2016 which, according to officers, undermined licensing rules around protecting children from harm.

Other issues included the shop operating without a designated premises supervisor for a number of years.

Premises licence holder Shadab Azam has been fined £10,000 after immigration officers found an illegal worker at the site in December last year.

In their representations, trading standards said underage alcohol sales were a major cause of anti-social behaviour in the area and made calls for the management around alcohol sales to be addressed.

In an apology for the failed test purchases, he told the licensing hearing he was facing “family problems”, but stressed new measures had been put in place at the shop.

This included a ‘Challenge 25’ policy, checks for new staff and improved CCTV.

Councillor Pauline Crathorne said: “We are not satisfied that you have put steps into place to promote the licensing objectives and the clear lack of training for alcohol sales and that is a great concern.”

The applicant has a right to appeal the council licensing decision.