Bracknell off-licence accused of selling alcohol to drunk people

SS Food and Wine Limited, which runs the off-licence on Market Street, could be forced to stop selling booze after Thames Valley Police recorded more than 30 street-drinking incidents allegedly linked to the store in 2019.

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TVP’s investigation came after two police officers were assaulted by drunk men at the start of 2018, who supposedly bought a bottle of vodka from the off-licence in the middle of the day.

One man had to be captured and tasered to bring him under control.

Following another report in June 2018 of anti-social behaviour after a drunk man allegedly purchased 9 per cent strength cider from the store, police asked the shopkeeper for CCTV footage of the man.

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However, off-licence owners could not provide this footage as the shopkeeper did not know how to use the system to access it.

Police were assured the footage would be available soon after but when officers returned only part of the tape was viewable.

TVP wrote to Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) last month suggesting the shop’s licence is revoked as “outstanding matters” had not been addressed.

The force’s recommendation read: “Thames Valley Police are of the opinion...that Mr Lamba (the licence holder) is incapable of managing a License Premise.

“He appears not willing to support Police in managing the issues around street drinkers and anti-social behaviour and he is certainly not in specific areas preventing crime and disorder.

“Thames Valley Police in this circumstance have no option but to request that this Premises License is revoked.”

BFC licensing bosses will decide whether to revoke the store’s licence at a meeting on Thursday, October 3.

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SS Food and Wine Limited has been contacted for comment.