A corner shop has been stripped of its licence to sell alcohol after being caught selling age-restricted products to a 13-year-old.

Herne Bay Food Centre is also under investigation following a police visit and shop staff told council officials the “big money boss man” was in Turkey and could not help with further inquiries.

Canterbury City Council’s (CCC) licensing sub-committee met earlier this month to decide what to do about the business.

The council, which is responsible for licensing business premises, released a report before the meeting.

It explained the hearing had been called because the shop had failed a test purchase carried out by Trading Standards on July 23.

The committee was told the shop had sold an age-restricted product item to a 13-year-old volunteer.

The officer said a follow-up visit to “obtain further information” is alleged to have found evidence breaching one of its licensing objectives - the prevention of crime and disorder.

A CCC licensing officer wrote: “I also served the review papers at the premises to a member of staff who informed me the ‘big money boss man is in Turkey and doesn't know when he will be back’.”

‘The revocation does not take effect until the end of a 21-day appeal period or at the end of any appeal hearing…’

Licence holder for the High Street business Murat Bicer did not turn up to the hearing on November 12 or send anyone to represent him.

Kent Trading Standards - which operates under Kent County Council - and a Kent Police licensing officer were present.

At the meeting, a CCC licensing officer explained he visited the shop in the morning and Mr Bicer was still in Turkey but the member of staff present called him.

“As far as I could be, I was satisfied it was the premises licence holder because, on the manager’s telephone, it was that name that came up on the phone screen,” the officer said.

The officer added he did not think Mr Bicer was aware of the licence review, but should have been, as a notice had been posted on the door.

The sub-committee then voted to hold the rest of the meeting in private session citing that evidence being discussed would include “information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime”.

The nature of the test purchase was also not disclosed by the committee.

The following day, a CCC spokesman confirmed committee members had decided to revoke the shop’s licence to sell alcohol.

“The revocation does not take effect until the end of a 21-day appeal period or at the end of any appeal hearing if an appeal is lodged,” the spokesman added.

Kent Trading Standards has been approached for comment about the ongoing investigation.