Plumstead Convenience Store Looses License For Illegal Sale of Cigarettes In His Store

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

The owner of a Plumstead convenience store has lost his appeal against the revocation of his licence after a previous conviction for the illegal sales of cigarettes at the shop.

Abid Ali had applied for the transfer of the premises licence for Mini Payless in Plumstead Common Road to a new company, EDN Food & Wine Ltd last April. 

However, the council’s trading standards reviewed the licence amid concerns that objectives of the Licensing Act 2003 would not be met. 

Mr Ali transferred the licence following the prosecution of the previous licence holder at the Mini Payless business who was fined £8,200 for possessing and selling illegal tobacco and for failing to display a statutory warning notice about tobacco sales to children under 18.

Mr Ali took on the premises licence under the guise of his new company but a hearing of the council’s licensing sub-committee last June revoked the licence after hearing a report from officers concerned about the protection of children from harm, public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. 

Mr Ali appealed against the decision but this was dismissed at Bexley Magistrates Court last Monday (January 11). The court stated Mr Ali had not put forward any evidence to show why the council’s decision had been incorrect and he was ordered to pay costs of £1,500.

The Royal Borough has been working with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and five other South-east London boroughs to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco over the last two years. 

Councillor Jackie Smith, the Royal Borough of Greenwich cabinet member for community safety and environment, said she was pleased the court had supported the licensing sub-committee decision. 

“We are determined to crack down on the sales of illegal goods, which make it more difficult for those trying to quit, and to protect our children from the dangers of smoking wherever we can,” she said. 

“Traders should be aware that we will use whatever powers we can to keep our communities safe from sales of potentially harmful products.” 

Anthony Swarbrick, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC said: 

"The sale of illegal tobacco will not be tolerated by HMRC. Working with Trading Standards and other law enforcement agencies, we will continue to disrupt this criminal trade, which is theft from the taxpayer and undermines legitimate traders. 

"We encourage anyone with information about the sale, storage, distribution or smuggling of illicit tobacco to contact the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000." 

Anyone who suspects the illegal sale of tobacco or alcohol can call the council’s trading standards team on 020 8921 8223 or tradingstandards@royalgreenwich.gov.uk, or report it on the Keep It Out website at www.keep-it-out.co.uk

Greenwich Stop Smoking Service is launching a new roadshow on January 19, which will be touring the borough for nine weeks. Called Quit Your Way, Today!, it will offer dedicated one-to-one stop smoking support. 

To find out when it is in your area go to www.greenwichstopsmoking.org.uk, call 0800 587 5833 or text QUIT to 60060.