Alcohol test purchase operation conducted in collaboration with Gloucestershire Constabulary

Businesses that failed will be offered support and will be monitored to ensure that full staff training is in place

The licensing team at Cheltenham Borough Council, in partnership with Gloucestershire Constabulary, carried out a test purchase operation in Cheltenham on Saturday 22 August 2026. As part of the operation, police cadets attempted to purchase alcohol from several retail premises.

Officers visited 9 stores across Cheltenham. Of these, 5 stores correctly requested identification and refused to serve alcohol to the underage tester. However, 4 stores failed the test and sold alcohol to the tester.

During the operation, the test purchaser was accompanied by plain-clothes officers who observed each attempted transaction. The tester does not carry identification and does not misrepresent their age, ensuring the integrity of the process and compliance with legal standards.

This proactive initiative was carried out as routine scheduled testing which supports the licensing objective of protecting children from harm, as set out in the Licensing Act 2003. It also enables enforcement teams to take appropriate action where breaches occur, ranging from advice and education through to formal action, including written warnings, fixed penalty notices, prosecutions, or licence reviews in more serious cases.

Councillor Jamie Jamieson, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: “We regularly work in partnership with Gloucestershire Police to ensure that licensed premises are operating responsibly and in line with the law.

“While it is encouraging that the over half of the businesses refused the sale, it is disappointing that several failed to uphold their legal responsibilities. We will be following up with those premises and will continue to carry out further checks to ensure compliance.

PC Walter from the Gloucestershire Constabulary Licensing Team said: “We regularly carry out joint operations with our partner agencies to ensure licensed premises are operating responsibly.

"On this occasion, four shops failed to uphold their legal obligations, and we will be following up with those businesses and conducting further checks in due course."

The businesses that failed will now be offered support to ensure that they understand their legal obligations and that full staff training is in place in compliance with their licence conditions to ensure that residents and visitors to Cheltenham are safe.

Retailers found to be in breach of licensing laws may face penalties including fines of up to £5,000, prosecution, and the potential review or revocation of their licence to sell alcohol.

For media enquiries, contact: communications, telephone 01242 264231, email [email protected].

Alcohol test purchase operation conducted in collaboration with Gloucestershire Constabulary

Businesses that failed will be offered support and will be monitored to ensure that full staff training is in place

Recent News