NEW owners of a shop where selling alcohol is banned are bidding to be allowed to sell booze around the clock

In December 2017, Burnley Council’s licensing subcommittee considered a review application submitted by Trading Standards in relation to European Foods in Colne Road, Burnley, following a lengthy history of illegal activity surrounding trade in illicit products.

The committee determined that the premises licence be revoked.

Following an appeal the magistrate’s court upheld the decision and dismissed the appeal in August last year

But the council has received a new application for a 24 hour premises licence and the licensing subcommittee will meet next week to decide whether to grant the licence.

Representations have been received from Lancashire Trading Standards Service relating to illegal tobacco being seized from the store in August.

Further concerns have also been expressed in relation to the previous owners still being involved with the applicant.

Lancashire County Council trading standards officer, Lauren Manning, said: "It is the opinion of Lancashire Trading Standards that the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objective would be undermined if the licence was granted, due to a history of illegal activity at the premises.

"This shop, albeit under different ownership, has been of interest to Trading Standards for the last eight years."

Ms Manning said illegal cigarettes were bought as a test purchase from the store on August 24.

Then on August 28, 20 packs of counterfeit cigarettes were seized from the shop, while a further 1,000 packs of counterfeit cigarettes were seized from an address tied to the store.

On August 30, Lancashire Police licensing officers found alcohol was still on display at the shop despite the licence having been revoked two weeks earlier.

And earlier this month, Burnley Council licensing officers carried out a successful alcohol test purchase despite the store not having a premises licence.

At the meeting on Tuesday, committee members will be asked to make a determination with a view to promoting the licensing objectives.

They will take into consideration the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance and protection of children from harm.

Members will have the option of granting the application as asked, modifying the conditions of the licence, by altering, omitting or adding to them, or rejecting the whole or part of the application.