A READING town centre store is considering appealing a ban on selling alcohol, enacted after police complaints.
The Today’s Express in Duke Street has been accused of alleged handling of stolen goods, anti-social behaviour, and mismanagement, leading to Thames Valley Police and the council’s licensing team to ask councillors to revoke the shop’s licence, arguing it would help prevent crime and disorder and better protect the public.
At a review hearing held on Friday, February 10, attended by the current owner Quais Aziz, police officers accused him of mismanagement by selling alcohol to street drinkers, causing a public nuisance.
Police licensing officer PC Simon Wheeler said: “We have people openly begging at that property, we have evidence of sales to drinks to those individuals, and them consuming the drinks nearby.”
Officers also accused the shop of handling stolen goods, particularly drinks and Red Bull cans.
This was denied by Mr Aziz’s legal representative, Bill Donne of Silver Fox Consultants, who got the police to concede they do not have specific evidence of handling stolen goods.
An investigation into this accusation is ongoing.
Evidence was compiled for the hearing during four visits by council and police officers, however the police complained that poor CCTV management meant collecting it had been difficult.
Mr Donne conceded that management of CCTV was “a mess” and said its timings were inaccurate.
On the sale of alcohol to street drinkers, he pointed out that drinking is not a licensable activity, and Mr Aziz could not be held responsible for the behaviour of his customers.
While police had argued that Mr Aziz should not be selling single cans of alcohol, Mr Donne stated there is no legal requirement restricting such sales.
Mr Donne said: “In summary, is my client holder the best operator? I would say no. Is he as non-compliant as the council and police say? I would say no.
“He is on the way to being neat and tidy.”
The licensing committee chose to revoke the licence to sell alcohol.
Mr Aziz previously said the store is in the process of being sold for £25,000, with the prospective new owner apparently being present at the review hearing.
Speaking on behalf of Mr Aziz and the prospective new owner after the meeting, Mr Donne said the result was disappointing and an appeal is being considered, which must be lodged within 21 days.
Once an appeal is triggered, the business can carry on under its current licence conditions until a final decision is made at Magistrates Court.
The licensing committee comprised councillors Paul Woodward (Labour, Church) Sue Kitchingham (Labour, Caversham Heights) and Doug Creswell (Green, Katesgrove).
