AN OFF-licence accused of selling alcohol to underage drinkers and of being involved in alleged drug dealing is to re-open under new management.

Porters, in Station Road, Crayford, Bexley, will be rebranded as Harry Off Licence by local grocer Thangarajah Baskar.

The previous licence holder of the store, Dinesh Kanji, will not be allowed to work there or enter the private areas of the property under new licence conditions.

A report to the council's licensing sub-committee by Bexley Neighbourhood Services outlined evidence that had led to the closure of the shop, in September.

It said: "The premises had gained a reputation as one where alcohol was freely available to those under 18. There was also an issue of drug dealing from the premises by the previous licencee's son."

Complaints have dropped since Porters was closed, but it is to re-open under the guidance of Mr Baskar who has run Premier Classic News in Station Road for the past seven years.

Harry Off Licence will be allowed to trade from 8am to 11pm every day except Christmas Day, when it will open 10am to 7pm.

For more on this story see next week's Bexley Extra.