South Yorkshire shop re-applies for alcohol licence following 'discovery of a significant quantity of illicit tobacco'

Ferham Supermarket, on Ferham Road previously had a licence to sell alcohol, but it was revoked in 2019, following “the discovery of a significant quantity of illicit tobacco at the premises” by Rotherham Council’s licensing team.

The owners then reapplied for a licence and were denied in January 2020.

The shop has now re applied once again for permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, between 8am and 11pm, seven days a week.

Applicant Amani Jawad, director of the shop, bought the shop in October 2020.

He told a meeting of Rotherham Council’s licensing sub-committee on January 11 2020 that he and his staff would be undergoing training around alcohol sales, and now had a challenging record to record the challenge of sales for anyone under 25.

“I will record every incident to show the council and police. CCTV will be working 24 hours to record any incidents that happen in the business,” he said.

He added that he was happy to reduce the opening hours proposed, and that all staff would attend an online training course.

However, Alan Pogorzelec, licensing manager at the council, states in documents as part of the new application that licensing officers visited the shop on October 9 2020, after receiving information that it may be selling alcohol without a licence.

“During the visit alcohol could be seen on display and Mr Jawad stated to theofficers that alcohol had been sold that day – Mr Jawad stated that he was not aware that the premises licence had been revoked and that there was not a licence in place to authorise the sale of alcohol.”

During another licensing visit on February 24, 2021, officers were approachedby a shop customer who indicated that he wished to purchase illicit cigarettes, by showing the officer a packet of cigarettes that appeared to be abrand which is known to be illicit and not lawful for sale in the UK.

The report adds: “The customer did not appear to speak or understand English and so officers could not speak with him further.

No evidence of illicit tobacco or cigarettes was found during the visit, but licensing officers consider that the actions of the customer indicate that it is very likely that the premises are associated with the sale of illicit tobacco and cigarettes.”

The report continues: “Mr Jawad has continuously attempted to mislead licensing officers in relation to his involvement in the business prior to October 2020 – during a period that alcohol was sold to children, alcohol was sold without a licence and the premises have been associated with thesale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco.

“Given the previous history of the premises during a time that I believe he was the shop manager, I do not have confidence in Mr Jawad’s ability to manage the premises to a standard that would adequately promote the licensing objectives. I would therefore urge the sub committee to refuse the application.”

The application will be decided during a virtual meeting of the licensing sub-committee on March 30.