15-year-old becomes youngest ever qualified licensee

While most people in the pub trade love youth and enthusiasm, a 15-year-old licensee is perhaps a step too far!

Vicky Galey, a 15-year-old student from Louth, Lincolnshire, has officially become the youngest person in England to gain the BIIAB National Certificate for Personal License Holders (NCPLH) qualification, by being one day younger than the previous holder.

Sadly Vicky will have to wait over two years before hanging her name above a pub door as the law states applicants of personal licences have to be aged 18 or over.

The young licensee-to-be was offered a spare place on an NCPLH course on October 18 while on a two week work placement at Kai's Bar in Louth.

She said: "I found the day very interesting and learnt a lot about the pub industry. As a result of my work experience fortnight I would like to work within the industry part time while studying for my A Levels next year."

Cathie Smith, director of BIIAB, said: "It is fantastic that someone as young as Vicky has shown an active interest in the licensed retail sector. I hope that her interest in the sector as a future career path continues as the licensed trade needs enthusiastic and professional young people to help it flourish."