A CITY-CENTRE off-licence has been stripped of its alcohol licence for three months after being caught selling booze to street drinkers.
Arun's off-licence in Upper Parliament Street has also been told it must never sell beer, lager or cider over 5.5% without permission from the police. Nor can it sell individual cans.
Notts Police asked Nottingham City Council to review the licence held by Freydun Sakhi, describing his off-licence as a "source of alcohol for the street fraternity".
Officers say that the store's licence holder, Freydun Sakhi, has sold alcohol to drunk people – known street drinkers – on at least two occasions, despite warnings.
However, Councillor Brian Grocock, chairman of the licensing panel, which reached its decision this week, said he thought the outcome sent out a "positive message".
He said: "It's fair to say the gentleman in question appeared to be sincere in what he was saying and talking about. It's a very small family business and we're not about to take anybody's livelihood away – but a suspension of licence for three months will be quite a lesson to him and to his family."
He added: "I think the committee was united in the decision, we deliberated at length after the meeting and took consideration of all the documentation, all the verbal evidence.
"Should there be any further allegations or misdemeanours the police or any responsible authority or member of the public can ask for a further review."
Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Leona Scurr said: "We reviewed the licence at Arun's store because we had evidence to suggest that they sold alcohol to persons who were intoxicated and hence had breached the conditions of their licence.
"Following a day and a half hearing at the licensing authority, the panel of elected members, on considering all the evidence, determined that the licence should be suspended for a period of three months and applied several additional conditions. "
She added: "We should all do our bit to deter and reduce antisocial behaviour, where possible.
"We believe the licensee was acting irresponsibly in the sale of alcohol to people who were intoxicated and it was leading to increases in nuisance crime."
Mr Sakhi refused to comment.
