A shop in Caversham has held onto its license but been handed with a one-month suspension after it sold alcohol to a 15-year-old without asking for ID.

More than 50 residents had written to Reading Borough Council (RBC) calling for it to give the Nire Road store another chance.

The sale was the Best One’s second test purchase failure in four months, with alcohol previously sold to a 17-year-old last year.

The licence was reviewed at a hearing at the Civic Centre on Thursday, June 27.

A series of conditions were applied to the license, including continuous recording of CCTV, staff training and keeping an incident log.

Surendra Panchal, legal representative for the store, said: “It was a good decision.

“Reading councillors heard the community’s opinions and needs and at the same time made sure the licensing objectives were robustly promoted.”

Owner Tajender Parmar sold a bottle of Bulmers cider to a 17-year-old girl in the first offence, in October 2018, for which he was fined £90.

The second sale, in February 2019, was handled by a member of his staff who has now been dismissed.

Test purchase exercises, carried out by Thames Valley Police (TVP) and RBC, involve an underage person attempting to buy alcohol in the shop, with an officer watching on.

Mr Parmar broke down into tears at the start of the meeting.

He said: “What I did was not acceptable. I have been punishing myself. I am sorry from the heart.”

A group of seven supporters of the shop attended the meeting.

Cherelle Edwards, speaking on behalf of the group, said: “He is not just our shopkeeper but part of the community.

“Mr Parmar is well respected by the local children.

“No one could represent the shop better.”