A month’s alcohol suspension for Londis in Market Square will not be enforced for another two weeks, giving the store the opportunity to appeal.

A review hearing on the shop was called by the police, supported by Dover Town Council, after a series of breaches.

In June last year a licensing officer investigated an incident where a heavily intoxicated man was served alcohol by Londis staff after the police had just taken drink from him in an alcohol control zone.

Londis was issued with a penalty notice for disorder.

Then in August Londis was found to be serving alcohol before its licence hour of 6am but, as this breach was only a matter of minutes, the store was issued with a warning.

In November a licensing officer was told of a further sale before 6am and an investigation found two breaches on two consecutive days.

A social media comment suggested that the shop was serving wine to residents despite its temporary ban but the Dover district licensing officer, Steve Alexander, said this was allowed.

He told the Mercury: “If they are to make an appeal, it must be lodged by February 17.

“If they don’t lodge an appeal the conditions will apply, they have to have their licence gone for a month.” When the month is up, it will have to serve alcohol from 9am, instead of 6am.

If an appeal is lodged, the original conditions will still be in place until a hearing at a magistrates’ court.

The licensing officer told the Mercury that, to date, an appeal had not been received.

It is believed that Londis has applied to move its premises next door, as its present shop will need to be demolished to make way for the St James’ development.

When the new shop is open, the shop will need to apply for a new licence.