People and communities
Blakenall Mini Market licence revoked after repeated illegal sales of tobacco and Alcohol
Published on
At a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Monday 10 August, Walsall Council revoked Blakenall Mini Market’s licence following a report from Trading Standards.
The report outlined serious concerns about the sale of illicit tobacco and the sale of alcohol to persons under the legal age.
Blakenall Mini Market, of 1D Barracks Lane, Blakenall, Walsall, WS3 1LP, had been visited by Trading Standards on a number of occasions where officers offered advice around tobacco and alcohol sales. Officers also provided guidance to ensure proper age checks were in place for age-restricted products.
Committee members felt that the premises had not shown a willingness to follow the guidance given and had serious concerns that the premises would continue to operate in contravention of the law, placing local people at risk.
“ Our priority is always to safeguard residents and ensure businesses across the borough meet the standards required by law. In this case, Blakenall Mini Market had shown an unwillingness to abide by the law and repeated cases of selling illicit tobacco and alcohol to shoppers below the legal age. This is unacceptable and a danger to our communities.
I am grateful for the hard work of our Trading Standards team in supporting businesses to uphold their licensing objectives. Revoking a licence is not something we take lightly however, in cases like this that put our communities at risk we will not hesitate to use the enforcement powers available to us “
Mr Salam Hussein Khiziryan, the Premises Licence Holder, and Mr Ako Shakifi, the Designated Premises Supervisor, did not come to the hearing.
At a licence review, Members look at the evidence, think about the licensing objectives, and decide what would be a fair and sensible way to deal with the concerns raised. Licensing objectives are about stopping crime and disorder, keeping people safe, preventing public nuisance, and protecting children from harm. Because of the repeated issues and unwillingness to rectify, Members made the decision to revoke Blakenall Mini Market’s licence.
