An off-licence near Bristol has had its premises licence stripped for eight weeks and its boss removed for selling vapes and alcohol to children.

Lexie Local in Chipping Sodbury High Street was caught allowing underage sales on several occasions, including during the popular biannual Mop Fair in September which police described as a “losing battle” and a “recipe for disaster” because of the number of drunken teenagers buying booze from the shop.

South Gloucestershire Council licensing sub-committee ruled that premises licence holder Gagandeep Sharma should have his status as designated premises supervisor (DPS) taken away, which he had agreed to before the hearing after appointing a replacement who could dedicate more time to the role.

Avon & Somerset Police licensing officer Wes Hussey told the meeting: “Prior to 2025 the police received very few if any complaints in relation to underage sales or antisocial behaviour at the shop.

“Since the beginning of 2025, police and trading standards have received a number of complaints and intelligence relating to the sale of alcohol and vapes to children under 18. Avon & Somerset Constabulary believes the measures put in place by the licence holder and DPS are not sufficient to address the issues.

“The police and trading standards have attempted to engage with Mr Sharma on a number of occasions, offering words of advice and guidance, verbal warnings and a written warning. It’s apparent that warnings have not been heeded and appear to have been ignored.

“The police believe Mr Sharma no longer has any control over what happens at the premises on a day-to-day basis. Mr Sharma has little or no regard for selling alcohol to underage children.”

Neighbourhood constable PC Neal Scarborough told councillors that he attended the Mop Fair with two PCSOs.

He said: “I immediately knew this was a losing battle because there were so many young people under the influence or carrying bulging bags (of alcohol).”

PC Scarborough said that as soon as he walked into Lexie Local there were “red flags everywhere”. He said: “There was little concern for the sale of alcohol to young people. The spilling out onto the street of drunken youths was just a recipe for disaster.”

Trading standards backed the police’s licence review application. Solicitor Jeremy Woodcraft, representing Mr Sharma, said: “The licence holder and now former designated premises supervisor has a great deal of experience of running licensed premises.

“He took over these premises at the end of 2024 and has two other premises for which he is responsible. He would accept that with his other commitments that he would not have the capacity to properly discharge his responsibilities as a DPS at this store. As a small businessman he wanted to do everything himself – he didn’t want to employ or trust other people, and quite clearly in this case this was the wrong decision.

“The police evidence is that there were reports of underage sales in January, April and June, but undoubtedly the major issue came as a result of the hundreds of people that attended the Mop fayre – it’s a chaotic time at best. This shop is right on the High Street and very close to where the fairground rides are and people congregate, so this is the time where clearly everything gets out of hand.

“Mr Sharma didn’t appreciate the Mop fayre was on that particular day, and there was one (staff) person who was unable to contain the masses and the number of people coming through the door, so Mr Sharma accepts that as an oversight on his part and a mistake. Mr Sharma has accepted he clearly can’t do everything, with other premises and other responsibilities, and as such he has identified a new DPS.”

Announcing the panel’s decision on Thursday, November 20, Cllr Ron Hardie (Labour, Emersons Green) said: “The sub-committee was very concerned at the findings of the police, trading standards and the licensing service.

“The sub-committee did not consider the DPS had demonstrated sufficient consistency, supervision or proper management of the premises. The sub-committee was also concerned at Mr Sharma’s lack of understanding regarding his responsibilities as the premises licence holder.

“On balance the sub-committee felt that a significant period of suspension of the premises licence would allow him time to reflect on the issues raised by the police and trading standards. The sub-committee therefore resolved that the DPS be removed, that the premises licence be suspended for eight weeks, and that the additional conditions proposed by the police be attached to the premises licence.”