Council removes licence from Peterborough shop “well known in school to sell vapes to children"
A Peterborough off-licence has had its licence to sell alcohol removed after evidence was presented that it was involved in the sale of vapes and alcohol to children.
Cambridgeshire Police called for a review of the licence granted to Westgate News on Westgate after their enquiries suggest that the shop engages in ‘persistent and systemic sale of alcohol, vapes and nicotine products to children.’
Ahead of the review, the force stated that it had confirmed evidence that a 14-year-old girl was sold vodka, a vape and a soft drink by staff on January 1, 2026.
During a compliance visit on January 15, several other licence breaches were also found, including: no personal licence holder being present during alcohol sales, failure to maintain staff training records and failure to comply with CCTV retention requirements.
Cambridgeshire Police has said that it has received consistent intelligence demonstrating a clear pattern of unlawful sales.
Intelligence received in June suggests that a 12-year-old child was sold a vape in the shop on June 6 and that the shop has a reputation amongst school-age children as a reliable source of age-restricted products.
Reports going back to last year indicate that the shop sold vapes to children as young as 10 with reports of buzz balls, snuz and other alcohol products being sold to children.
The police’s closing statement read: “The volume, consistency, and longevity of intelligence- combined with evidential incidents and enforcement action—demonstrate that this premises is systematically undermining the licensing objectives, particularly in respect of children.
"The latest intelligence confirms that these issues remain ongoing, necessitating decisive action by the Licensing Authority.”
The hearing was held in exempt session, due to the council decided that ‘due to ongoing criminal investigations it was not in the public interest to hold the meeting in public.’
A decision notice published after the meeting confirmed: “The Sub-Committee heard that several underage sales were made at the premises involving alcohol and vapes.
“The Sub-Committee members viewed CCTV footage showing such sales.
“Other routes of compliance, such as a Community Protection Notice, were issued but not complied with.
"In order to promote the licensing objectives in question, the Sub-Committee believes it is necessary to revoke the premises licence.”