Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Liverpool City Council has revoked the premises licenses of two shops located on West Derby Road, Tuebrook, following investigations that uncovered the sale of illicit tobacco products. The establishments, L6 Local Store and The Park Food Store & Off Licence, faced court-issued closure orders earlier this month after thorough inquiries conducted by the Council’s public protection team.
Since both stores were authorized to sell alcohol, their forced closures led to a formal review of their licenses. The Licensing Committee subsequently decided last week to withdraw both licenses entirely. L6 Local Store initially attracted attention in November last year when six undercover purchases of illegal tobacco and cigarettes were made. Further inspections in February revealed 130 Viagra tablets stored behind the counter and inside the till, alongside concerning environmental health issues such as mouldy food and evidence of mice infestation.
Additionally, officers noted that the shop’s CCTV camera was deliberately tampered with, having been intentionally redirected towards the ceiling by a staff member using a stick, contrary to the owner’s claim that it was accidentally moved. Despite receiving a warning, the store owner persisted in illegal activities. A follow-up visit in July uncovered a concealed area within the stockroom containing nearly 9,000 illicit cigarettes and 11 pouches of unregulated hand rolling tobacco. Officers also found an extra 10,000 illegal cigarettes stored in a van parked outside the premises.
The neighboring shop, The Park Food Store & Off Licence, was similarly found to be engaging in unlawful practices. Reports indicated the sale of single-use vapes in June and October of the previous year. Undercover officers managed to purchase illicit tobacco and cigarettes from staff on site. A subsequent inspection in July revealed a hidden compartment in the stockroom holding almost 13,000 illicit cigarettes and 14 pouches of tobacco. The sale of such unregulated vapes and tobacco presents serious health risks, as these products may contain banned substances. It is worth noting that single-use vapes were outlawed by the Government last year, with regulations governed by the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.
According to the Council, Viagra products should only be sold following proper consultation with a qualified pharmacist. Residents who suspect shops of selling illicit goods are encouraged to report their concerns through official channels, including the Council’s website, Crimestoppers, or Trading Standards. Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, commented on the situation, stating: “These shops repeatedly chose to break the law, despite being warned and given opportunities to put things right. They put customers at risk and undermined honest businesses that do things the right way. We are determined to protect the health of our residents and support legitimate local traders. When businesses engage in this kind of criminal activity, we will not hesitate to take action. Our team’s investigations have helped remove thousands of illegal products from our streets and sent a clear message that Liverpool will not tolerate businesses that profit from illegal and unsafe goods.”
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.