The owner of a restaurant in Durham has been ordered to pay £4,950 after being caught selling alcohol without the legally required supervisor. Aristo Aristodemou, who runs The Townhouse, was prosecuted at Peterlee Magistrates Court on 7 April 2026 following a joint investigation by Durham County Council and Durham Constabulary.
Although the restaurant held a premises licence, it failed to appoint a Designated Premises Supervisor. Under the Licensing Act 2003, this role is a legal requirement for any business that sells alcohol, as the supervisor acts as the primary person responsible for ensuring sales are carried out lawfully. Without this appointment, the business was not authorised to sell alcohol.
The investigation into the premises involved a test purchase operation where council officers were successfully sold alcohol. During the annual Durham Miners’ Gala, officers also observed drinks being served to customers directly from the front window ledge of the restaurant.
Authorities had previously attempted to bring the business into compliance by providing verbal advice, written guidance, and multiple invitations for an interview, all of which went ignored. When questioned by officials, Mr Aristodemou claimed he had a supervisor but could not provide contact details, later claiming he had lost them from his phone. Police confirmed no application for a supervisor had ever been submitted for the premises.
Mr Aristodemou did not attend the court hearing. The final penalty of £4,950 includes a £3,330 fine, £330 in costs, and a £1,320 victim surcharge.
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