Five 'dodgy shops' in one town lose licences

An MP has called for more powers to shut down "dodgy shops" after five businesses in one town centre were stripped of their alcohol licences.

Bradford Council took action against the five convenience stores in Keighley, which were all found to be selling illegal cigarettes and to be involved in organised crime.

Although the shops can remain open, they can no longer sell alcohol. Tobacco sales are not licensed.

Robbie Moore, Conservative MP for Keighley and Ilkley, raised the issue in Parliament, saying it should be easier for illicit traders to be replaced with "law-abiding, independent businesses".

European Food and Keighley Mini Market, both on North Street, and Keighley Continental, Keighley Pound Plus and Wisla on Cavendish Street all had their alcohol licences revoked by the council's licensing panel.

Hundreds of packets of illegal cigarettes and pouches of tobacco were found at the five mini-marts, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Some businesses used hidden compartments or chutes to hide their products, and police and Trading Standards officers said all were involved in organised crime.

Removing an alcohol licence is seen as a way to disrupt the criminal activity of these businesses – some of which advertise themselves as off-licences.

A court order would be needed to shut down the shops.

Reports from police and Trading Standards to the panel said such orders were being considered in the Keighley cases.

Raising the issue in the House of Commons, Moore said he "welcomed" the recent announcement that Cavendish Street was due to get £1.4m investment to improve the area.

"However, alongside the many brilliant local businesses, the street is still home to several dodgy shops," he said.

"They were stripped of their alcohol licences for illegal activity just last week, but they remain open and no convictions have followed."

He called for a debate about shops selling counterfeit goods and their place on high streets.

He added the businesses "undermine legitimate traders and damage confidence in the town centre at a time when investment is being made to improve it".

Sir Alan Campbell, leader of the House of Commons, said "these matters are often better decided locally because they depend on local circumstances".

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