Rehan Food Store secures permission for extended alcohol sales despite police objections regarding past violations.
The police weren’t happy about it, though. They said the store stayed open late twice. It was past 11 PM on November 29th and December 12th. Police gave them a warning for selling alcohol after hours.
A customer once wanted credit for milk. He left two cider cans in the fridge when refused. He planned to get cash to then buy these ciders. The police were checking the store at that very moment, leading to the seizing of the ciders.
They thought the store was selling them illegally. The cider’s alcohol content was over the allowed limit. The store can only sell drinks up to 6% ABV.
The store’s lawyer said they’d operated fine for years. He argued the hour extension wouldn’t cause problems. Trading past 11 PM isn’t a licensing issue, he stated. He insisted they didn’t sell booze after 11 PM.
The lawyer said the store stayed open for customers who arrived right before closing time. These customers needed time to pick out their groceries. He questioned if they should confront shoppers.
The lawyer pointed out the ciders had no price tag, indicating they weren’t for sale. Police searched the shop, finding only those two cans of cider. It was unlucky this happened during a police visit.
The council approved the extended hours. They felt the police didn’t prove their case. They decided to grant the store the license change anyway. So, Rehan Food Store can sell drinks later now.