Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

It was confirmed that all items were marked Part I and would be considered in public.

None.

Introduction by the Licensing Officer:

Ms Lois King, Licensing Officer at the London Borough of Hillingdon, introduced the report relation to an application for a review of a premises licence at Costcutter, 24 High Street, Harefield, UB9 6BU.

The Sub-Committee was informed that on 27 August 2019, Trading Standards inspected the premises. Illicit tobacco was found concealed under the till and in the stock room, and non-duty paid bottles of vodka and whiskey were found on the shelving display and in the rear stock room. A total of 50 packets of cigarettes and 35 bottles of non-duty paid spirits were found during the visit.

The premises was subject to another visit from the Licensing Authority on 8 July 2020, and several breaches were noted, with a remedial letter subsequently sent to the premises license holder, Mrs Taranjit Kaur Tal, on 20 July 2020. In a further email, dated 14 August 2020, Mrs Tal advised that all matters in the letter had been attended to, and submitted photographs in support of this statement. Ms King noted that further steps are still required to satisfy licensing legislation.

The Sub-Committee were informed that the premises licence holder had submitted several letters and a petition in support of the local business.

Ms King noted that it was recommended that the premises license be suspended for a period not exceeding three months and that additional conditions were imposed upon the premises license in order that shortcomings can be rectified and that, going forward, Mrs Tal operates at the standards expected of her as the premises license holder.

Representation by the Applicant:

Mr King-Yip Cheung, Senior Trading Standards Officer, noted that a complaint was received from a resident regarding illegal tobacco being sold at the premises, and on 27 August, officers from London Borough of Hillingdon’s Trading Standards Service, accompanied by a tobacco detection dog and handler, inspected the premises. During the inspection, illicit tobacco and alcohol was found on the premises and seized.

The goods seized consisted both of counterfeit tobacco and tobacco in non-plain packaging. These illicit cigarettes were concealed in a bag underneath the counter by the cash till, and further products were found concealed in a bag in the back store room. Mr Cheung confirmed on the shelf display, 20 bottles of non-duty paid alcohol were found with false duty-paid labels fixed to them. 14 of the same products were also found in the rear store room of the shop. Samples of the seized products were examined by the brand representatives who confirmed the products were illegal, with the exception of Marlboro and L&M, who noted receipt of the products on 29 July 2020. Although there was not confirmation from Marlboro that the products were illegal, all the Marlboro cigarettes had the same serial number on the packets which showed they were counterfeit. The L&M cigarettes were also in non-standardised packets, so did not need to be analysed to be confirmed as counterfeit.

In total, 50 packs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.