Two Wrexham Pubs Face 48 Hour Closure Over Underage Alcohol Sales

Two Wrexham pubs will be forced to close their doors for 48 hours after staff were twice caught selling alcohol to under 18 year olds.

The Welch Fusilier on Chester Street and The New Inn, Johnstown were both caught out on two separate occasions in March and June this year by test purchases carried out by North Wales Police and Wrexham Trading Standards.

Police and trading standards said they were sending out a clear message to licensed businesses in Wrexham with fixed penalty notices of £80 issued to staff who made the sales.

Now the pubs have been offered a 48 hour closure as an alternative to criminal prosecution under Section 169A(2) of the Licensing Act 2003 for repeatedly selling alcohol to underage persons.

The Welch Fusilier accepted and will be closed from 5pm this Friday till 5pm on Sunday.

The New Inn also accepted and will be shut from 5pm on Friday 10th August till 5pm on Sunday 12th August.

Wrexham Town Inspector Mark Williams said: “This has never been done before in Wrexham and it shows we’re taking a firm stance on selling alcohol to juveniles.

“If the two pubs were caught selling to people under age again they are likely to be prosecuted and face a complete review of their license.”

Chief Inspector Alex Goss said the closures showed the tough stance the force was taking: “This positive action is an example of the way in which the police and our partners are keen to enforce the licensing legislation to achieve our objectives of preventing crime and disorder and protecting children from harm.

“The closure of these two pubs is evidence of the tough stance we are taking on licensing offences. We are keen to promote a safe and prosperous night time economy in Wrexham, well managed pubs and clubs with responsible licensees are key to this.”

North Wales Police and Wrexham Council’s Trading Standards regularly carry out test purchases to prevent and reduce under age drinking in the area.

Wrexham’s Community Safety Partnership also has a further campaign targeted at GCSE results day on August 23rd to raise awareness amongst parents, carers and young people about under age drinking and the law.

Wrexham Council’s Strategic Director and Chair of Wrexham Community Safety Partnership Lee Robinson said: “We know that very clear links can be made between alcohol consumption amongst young people, anti social behaviour and violent crime. We will therefore do all we can to ensure that we prevent and reduce under age drinking in the county.”