An off-licence has been banned from selling alcohol after an investigation by Ealing Council’s trading standards team revealed that it had been selling illicit goods.
The council’s licensing sub-committee decided to revoke the licence of The Best Wine in Uxbridge Road, Hanwell, and the premises licence holder Pritpal Singh Madhan. This came after an investigation by officers uncovered multiple breaches of licensing conditions. The revocation of the licence will last indefinitely.
As part of the investigation, the council’s safer communities anti-social behaviour lead for the area was able to establish that they were regularly selling alcohol to people who were already intoxicated, which was a key consideration for the committee in reaching its decision. The shop was also selling high strength alcohol in single-can format, which was in breach of the license conditions, and selling counterfeit cigarettes.
Residents had complained the premises had contributed to an increase in street drinking and associated anti-social behaviour in the Hanwell Broadway area over the last 6 months, which led to the investigation. Supporting evidence from partner agencies, including the Hanwell Broadway safer neighbourhood team, Metropolitan Police and the council’s licensing team, was heard by the licensing sub-committee before it made its decision.
Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “I hope this sends a strong message to any retailer that does not comply with licensing laws. Ensuring the safety of residents and taking counterfeit products off the streets is one of the council’s top priorities. Reporting suspicious or unscrupulous behaviour to the authorities can play a vital role in combating illicit trade and ensuring a safer environment.
“Ealing Council, along with the Metropolitan Police, will continue to work in partnership to take swift enforcement action against retailers failing to comply with the law.”
The license holder has 21 days from the committee’s decision to appeal the decision.
You can read more about the council’s licensing policy on the council’s website.
