Shop stripped of licence due to illegal tobacco and “very poor” firework storage
An Oxford convenience store is set to have its alcohol licence revoked following a review by Oxford City Council’s licensing sub-committee brought about by Oxfordshire County Council’s trading standards team.
At a hearing on Monday 27 July, councillors considered the licence held by Baweja Superstore, 334-335 Abingdon Road, Oxford, after being presented with evidence relating to the storage and supply of illegal tobacco, repeated breaches of tobacco display requirements, and concerns about the storage of fireworks at the premises.
After hearing representations from trading standards and the legal representative of the business, Oxford City Councillor James Taylor, chair of the licensing sub-committee, delivered the decision to revoke the premises licence.
Councillor Kate Gregory, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for public health and inequalities, said: “I would like to thank our trading standards officers for their vigilance and dedication in protecting Oxfordshire residents and supporting legitimate businesses.
“This decision sends a clear message that illegal tobacco and other unlawful activity linked to licensed premises will not be tolerated. We will continue to support robust enforcement action against those who undermine public health, community safety and honest traders.”
The application from the county council’s trading standards team detailed a series of concerns identified during an inspection on 29 October last year. Officers seized 89 packs of illegal cigarettes, including 55 confirmed as counterfeit and 34 identified as non-duty paid.
Officers also found tobacco products on open display and fireworks stored in a manner described by the explosives officer as “very poor”.
Further evidence presented to the licensing committee included previous enforcement action involving Tamanpreet Singh, the sole director, premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor of Baweja Superstore.
This related to the supply of illegal vapes at another business in Windsor, which led to a prosecution, and the recent seizure of illegal tobacco products from a separate shop in Hertfordshire, where he was also the premises licence holder.
Davina Walkin, Oxfordshire County Council’s Trading Standards operations manager, added: “I’m proud of the work our officers have done in this case, and we will continue to pursue those who undermine legitimate businesses and put consumers at risk. Businesses involved in the illegal tobacco trade can expect us to take firm action.”
Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco can report it anonymously by calling 0300 999 6 999 or by visiting www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk.
Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.