The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A Spalding shop could have its license revoked after Lincolnshire Police said it was selling alcohol illegally.
Spalding Express in Commercial Road was being investigated for selling illegal cigarettes when the alcohol was found.
The police have applied to South Holland District Council (SHDC) for a Review of a Premises Licence which the authority’s Licensing Committee is due to hear on Thursday, January 10.
It follows a Trading Standards inspection on Tuesday, September 25 when police say they found two bottles of vodka which did not have the necessary duty stamp and license owner Mr Majid Rostam Mohamed was advised that prices for beers needed to be on show.
Police and SHDC Licensing officers conducted a further compliance visit to Spalding Express on Wednesday October 3 and seized 45 cans due to them being over 6.5 per cent ABV and on display as well as noting that the beer still wasn’t priced.
Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Bill Skelly’s application for the hearing states: “The deliberate unlawful activity encountered at Spalding Express undermines all four of the licensing objectives.
“The police are unable to offer any suitable conditions which would prevent the recurrence of such criminal activity as suitable conditions are already on the premises licence and have not been adhered to.
“Advice has already been given by Trading Standards re pricing and this hadn’t been acted on by the time of the second visit, showing a complete disregard for the advice given and provides evidence that in this case a stepped approach will not be suitable.
“Smuggled goods have been found offered for sale.
“They cannot have been bought from a legitimate UK wholesaler as required by law.
“This is criminality for personal gain and gives an unfair advantage against law abiding competitors.”
The police application also states that a previous premises licence for Spalding Express was reviewed and revoked in 2016 after the selling of contraband cigarettes was discovered.
On both the most recent visits, the officers’ reports do not mention any evidence of the sale of illegal cigarettes.
SHDC’s Licensing officers carried out another visit on December 6 which found further operational concerns including lack of staff training records and issues with operating the CCTV.
