"Crime and disorder" leads to licence review for Nelson off licence

A meeting will be held of Pendle Council’s licensing committee next week to discuss the licence at Jean and Peter’s Offy in Regent Street.

Failed test purchases at the off licence date back to July 2010, when two pouches of Golden Virginia tobacco with incorrect health warnings were bought.

Then in February 2014, Trading Standards carried out an inspection and seized 535 packets of illicit cigarettes and 115 pouches of tobacco with incorrect health warnings.

105 of the pouches were also found to be counterfeit.

In a visit in May, a man working behind the counter was found not to have the right to work in the UK and a weapon in the form of a table leg was found.

In April 2011, Mr Zafar had been interviewed by police after brandishing a baseball bat towards three members of the public.

At the time, he was warned about his future behaviour and told any similar incidents would result in a premises licence review.

A number of inspections were also carried out between 2012 and 2016 where no illicit goods were found.

Licensing enforcement officer Michael Armfield said: “It is the opinion of the licensing authority that the present situation at Jean and Peter’s Offy thoroughly undermines the crime and disorder licensing objective.

“Despite being previously warned by the police and Pendle Council licensing, Mr Zafar continued to keep an easily accessible item that could be used as a weapon at the premises.

Rick Wilson, from Lancashire County Council's trading standards team, added: "The Trading Standards service has received a steady stream of complaints in relation to the supply of illicit tobacco products from the shop.

"The owner has been cautioned and prosecuted by Trading Standards for illicit tobacco offences, but despite this enforcement action, the sale of illicit tobacco products has continued with the most recent seizure taking place on July 17, 2018."

Investigations regarding the seizure in July are still ongoing.