'Deplorable' Liquor World shop loses its alcohol licence
A shop closed down due to anti-social behaviour has had its alcohol licence revoked after council chiefs criticised its ‘deplorable reputation’.
The closure order was brought against Liquor World, in Bromley Lane, Kingswinford, earlier this month.
But at a licensing meeting on Tuesday, councillors said that ‘no assurance’ had been given that things would improve at the site upon its re-opening.
Committee members were concerned about the plummeting reputation of the store and about its proximity to nearby The Crestwood School, where staff had complained youngsters have allegedly purchased illegal goods.
The meeting also heard from West Midlands Police representatives how Liquor World had allegedly sold alcohol to a 15-year-old Trading Standards test volunteer.
It was revealed that raids on the store discovered cannabis, Nitrous Oxide equipment, fake cigarettes and prescription tablets at a street value of up to £6,200.
Chair councillor Colin Elcock announced in his summary: “The committee is very concerned at this premises.
“It has a significant history of selling alcohol to under-age children and a reputation for dealing illicit substances such cannabis, Nitrous Oxide and counterfeit tobacco.
“It has gained this shop a deplorable reputation. They have disregarded the law and sold to underage children or those intending to provide for underage children.
“A reasonable landlord should have become aware of some of those issues.
“Therefore we are revoking the premises’ licence.”
The store had been closed since a court order was given on June 12 and councillors added that the area had ‘definitely improved’ since the closure.
It is set to re-open, now without its alcohol licence, on July 4. Landlord Mr Mirza Ali is in the process of forfeiting the lease from the existing tenants.
Gary Pons, representing owner Mr Ali – who has owned the premises since 1983, managing it himself for 25 years – said the first Mr Ali had become aware of the alleged sales and anti-social behaviour was when he received the closing order.
He said: “It was the intention to find another tenant for the premises.”
Liquor World has 21 days to appeal against the revoke of the alcohol license.
