A convenience store in Hartlepool has had its licence to sell alcohol revoked following concerns around illegal vapes and underage tobacco sales.
Trading standards officers from Hartlepool Borough Council brought the issues to light around Headland Local Shop at 31 Northgate following an operation to identify premises illegally selling products to children.
In May, two 14-year-olds, working alongside officers, were sent into the store to test-purchase, and were sold tobacco.
Cleveland Police and council public health chiefs spoke at the recent hearing in support of the licence being reviewed. Councillors heard that since the meeting was first scheduled a new licence holder had been put in place for the store.
A representative of the new licence holder said there had been “no complaints” regarding the premises prior to the incident or in the seven months since, and asked to be allowed to continue selling alcohol.
He said: “We do accept that mistake by the staff and then it was rectified immediately. The staff no longer work at the premises.
“All the staff have been trained and they have updated the CCTV system as well to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
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