Tesco stores banned from selling booze

Two Tesco stores are set to lose their alcohol licenses after they were caught red handed selling to underage teens.

The stores, one in Middleton Shopping Centre and the other in Kirkway, Alkrington, were subjected to an investigation carried out by Trading Standards.

Both stores were members of Rochdale Borough Council's Responsible Retailer Scheme, aimed at preventing traders selling booze to minors. They have now been temporarily suspended from the scheme.

It is the second large supermarket name to be hauled before a licensing review in a month.

Two Co-op shops, also in Middleton, received the same suspension in February.

Andy Glover, the council's public protection manager, said the second round of high profile suspensions should act as a warning to other retailers in the borough.

"The decision to suspend licenses is not something that the council takes lightly," he added. "However, the seriousness of underage sales of alcohol is something that will not be tolerated.

"I hope these two recent license suspensions will encourage other traders in the borough to take their social responsibilities more seriously."

The Tesco stores were ordered to appear before the council’s licensing sub-committee on Wednesday 4 March. The Kirkway premises will face a two-month suspension of their liquor licence and the shopping centre shop a one-month ban.

Rochdale Online is awaiting a comment from Tesco.