A corner shop has had its alcohol licence revoked after 14,000 counterfeit cigarettes were found on the premises.
Bedford Borough Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee published its decision yesterday (Tuesday) to decide the fate of PJ Supermarket on Aspley Road following the discovery of the cigarettes, after a tip-off.
Trading standards officers and Bedfordshire Police had called for the alcohol licence to be revoked following a visit to the shop last November.
At a previous meeting, Jennifer Brenton, the barrister representing licence holder, Param Jit, said: “The loss of income from alcohol sales would make it impossible for the shop to continue to trade.”
Read: Shop’s licence under threat after trading standards and police uncover 14,000 counterfeit cigarettes
Following publication of the decision to revoke the alcohol licence of PJ Supermarket, Liberal Democrat Councillor and Licensing Committee Chair Sarah Gallagher said: “Revocation of a licence is not a decision taken lightly, however it reflects the extremely serious nature of the evidence in this case.
“The presence of a vast number of counterfeit cigarettes in the premises severely undermines the prevention of crime, hence our decision in order to uphold that critical priority.”
