The Best One convenience store in Church Street, Little Lever, repeated breaches of UK and e-cigarette laws following several compliance visits from the council’s trading standards department, a council report has revealed.
A total of three separate compliance visits to the shop by trading standards officers, the most recent in December, discovered non-compliant e-cigarettes, as well as non-compliant cigarettes and canisters of nitrous oxide, accompanied by balloons.
E-cigarettes infused with tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is found in cannabis, was discovered at the premises.
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“In addition to these items found, a packet of Richmond King Size branded cigarettes housing only six cigarette sticks were located under the till, indicating that the premises are selling cigarettes as ‘singles’.
“Selling single cigarettes is prohibited by law.
“Police officers who were also involved in the search on this day seized a number of full nitrous oxide cannisters from the boot of a car which was parked on the land at the side of the shop.”
The report adds that the packaging of the seized cigarettes was not in compliance with regulations, which require plain packaging and was introduced by The Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.
The regulations make it a legal requirement that the only permitted colour for the external packaging of tobacco products is drab dark brown with a matt finish.
The maximum penalty for breaching the regulations is a fine and two years imprisonment.
In a written witness statement, PC Nicki Forgham said: “I reviewed a piece of intelligence that alleged a shop in Little Lever had been selling nitrous oxide cannisters and vapes both illegal as well as being sold to underage people at Best One convenience store.
“On Tuesday, December 3, police attended shop with trading standards where several cannisters of nitrous oxide was seized.
“The shopkeeper, Mr Tharsan Thayalan, was asked about the cannisters at told PC Wilkinson he sells them to a female who runs a bakery this conversation was recorded on BWV.
“It is evident from finding nitrous oxide cannisters that the shop is not adhering to licensing conditions.
“Both police and trading standards are receiving intelligence that they are selling illegal items in the shop, the police would support trading standards in going ahead with sanctions and or revoking the licence.
“It is imperative that we do all we can to keep members of the communities we serve safe.
“We can do this by acting on the intelligence provided to both Police and trading standards and hold those involved accountable for their actions and causing harm in the community.”
In a licensing hearing on Wednesday, April 9, a council committee decided to revoke the licence.
The report said: “Having regard to the licensing objectives, the premises licence in relation to Best One (Hans Express), 225-227 Church Street, Little Lever, be revoked on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder.
“In coming to its decision the sub-committee noted that the designated premises supervisor and premises licence holder consistently disregarded advice and information provided by trading standards to keep members of the community they serve safe.
“The licence holder acknowledged storing THC-infused vapes inside the premises and admitted that he had been smoking them during his working time at the premises.”
Police officers say they intend to continue the enforcement work over the coming months with more days of action planned.
