Shop launches new bid after licence revocation

Nasza Biedronka, in New Hall Lane, Preston, had its licence revoked by Town Hall bosses in March, after claims of illicit tobacco being sold from the premises.

An application for a premises licence has now been lodged with Preston Council, but Trading Standards and police have raised objections.

The bid is for the sale of alcohol, for consumption off the premises, from 8am to 12 midnight Monday to Thursday, from 8am to 1am Friday and Saturday, and from 9am to 12 midnight on Sundays.

Abdullah Taha, who has applied for the premises licence, said: “The previous owner is nothing to do with me.

“There’s no reason I shouldn’t have a licence, because I have no problem.”

A premises licence, held by a different person, was revoked following a review applied for by Trading Standards.

But police and Trading Standards bosses have again raised fears and objections about the new application, urging councillors to turn it down.

A letter from Dawn Robinson, principal trading standards officer, said police had seized illicit tobacco from the shop in August this year.

When asked by the Evening Post, Mr Taha said he had found it while he was cleaning, and it had “nothing to do with (him)”.

The letter said: “The history of illegal activity at 169 New Hall Lane, with 12 test purchases and six seizures of illicit tobacco products, ranging from February 2013 to August 4 2016, represents a flagrant and systematic disregard for the licensing objective.

“The trade in illicit products is considered to be an integral feature of the shop’s business model which has continued, unabated, despite intensive enforcement.”

A letter from licensing sergeant Tony Bushell against the granting off the licence added: “There is a systematic and deliberate attempt by persons who have an interest in these premises to continue to conduct criminal activity from these premises.”