KEY POINTS:
Three Tauranga liquor stores caught selling alcohol to an underage teenager in an undercover police sting have been ordered to close for up to two days.
The three businesses have been dealt with by the Liquor Licensing Authority for breaching requirements of the Sale of Liquor Act by
selling a 12-pack of beer to the teenager, 17, in May.
Gate Pa Liquor on Cameron Rd will have to close for 24 hours on Thursday, October 11 and the manager has had his manager's certificate suspended for four weeks.
The owner said his manager had based the teenager's age on his looks rather than asking for ID.
Also on Cameron Rd at Greerton Four Square, owner Anita Lal has had her manager's certificate suspended for three weeks and the store cannot sell alcohol at all on Thursday October 11 and Friday October 12 - a penalty she sees as fair.
She said her manager had asked the teen twice if he was over 18 and on both occasions he had allegedly replied "yes".
She has since installed a computer system that requires staff to punch a customer's ID details in before the sale can be completed.
McCallum's Fine Wines and Spirits is still being dealt with. It was prosecuted for selling alcohol to a minor in December 2005.
On The Strand, the Usual Suspects bar must close for three days from October 7 to 10 after it breached its special liquor licence and the street use bylaw during the Easter Jazz Festival.
The application for the suspension of the manager's licence has still to be decided.
Police Sergeant Nigel McGlone said he hoped these results would send a clear message to all licensees.
"While the police, District Licensing Authority and Ministry of Health are keen to co-operate with licensees and their staff, businesses must realise that enforcement action will always take place where breaches are identified.
"Licensees are being put on notice - operate your business responsibly or be prepared to deal with the consequences.
Mr McGlone said part of the responsibility also lay with patrons and customers.
"I am aware there are a lot of patrons who seem to think it is their right to go to licensed premises and get as drunk as they like, or underage people who will try all sorts of tricks, including using false or other person's identification, to buy alcohol.
"Well, they can't and with the help of the licensees, we plan to deal with these people and to make all licensed premises safer and more pleasant places to go.
" Bay of Plenty Times
