Liverpool City Council’s Licensing Committee has stripped a store of its premises licence after owners failed to stop selling illicit cigarettes and tobacco.
After being made aware of alleged sales of illegal cigarettes, the Council conducted an investigation into Arbela Food Mart on Lawrence Road.
During an initial visit, illicit cigarettes and tobacco were found stashed in a hidden compartment, alongside a substantial amount of Viagra, which can only be sold following a consultation with a pharmacist.
Officers seized the drugs, over 3,200 cigarettes and 29 pouches of tobacco. The shop owner was warned about the law around cigarette and tobacco sales and told to stop selling illicit products.
A 16-year-old volunteer was sent to the shop, where they were able to buy a vape without an ID check.
The Council’s warnings were ignored, and the shop was reprimanded for anti-social behaviour, with customers being given plastic cups to drink alcohol purchased in the store outside.
A final visit in September resulted in a further 2,140 illicit cigarettes being seized. Two months later, the courts issued a three-month closure order for the premises and awarded the Council £3,340 in costs.
This closure order by the courts triggered a licence review through the Licensing Committee. With all evidence presented, a decision was made yesterday to revoke the store of its premises licence entirely.
Unregulated vapes, cigarettes and tobacco could contain banned ingredients and may pose a serious health risk to anyone using them.
Rules around the sale of vapes are set out in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
Anyone who believes a shop is selling illicit goods can report it on the Council website, or through Crimestoppers.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture said: “The rules about cigarette and tobacco sales are in place to keep people safe from harm.
“The blatant disregard for these rules by the owners of Arbela Food Mart are entirely unacceptable. Despite warnings from Trading Standards, they continued to sell illicit goods, put young people at risk, and cause issues within the wider community.
“A decision to revoke a premises licence is taken when all other avenues are exhausted, but dangerous or anti-social behaviour continues. It is not a decision taken lightly, but we hope this makes it clear to other businesses owners that we will take all necessary action to keep our residents safe.”