(Image: Google Street View)
THE owner of two city centre businesses that were stripped of their licence to sell alcohol will appeal the “disproportionate” decision in court.
In June, Bradford Council’s Licensing Panel stripped the branches of Lynxes, on Sunbridge Road and Kirkgate, of their licences.
It came after they heard that both stores were found selling counterfeit cigarettes – with illegal throwing knives also found in the Sunbridge Road one.
'Economic and financial hardship' for owner
But now licence holder Mohammed Jamal has lodged appeals against both decisions.
He argues that the revocation was a “disproportionate sanction” that will cause him “economic and financial hardship.”
The appeal will be held at Bradford Magistrates Court on November 11, and the revocation of the licences will not come into effect unless that appeal is dismissed.
What was found at Lynxes on Sunbridge Road?
The reviews in June followed raids by West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards that were carried out in April.
At the Sunbridge Road branch, officers found illegal tobacco products, including 445 packets of 20 cigarettes, 29 50g pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, and 13 packs of shisha tobacco.
A report by Trading Standards to the panel said: “The illicit products were found concealed in multiple locations throughout the premises, including under the counter, within upstairs storage areas, and hidden inside a false wall within the toilet area.
"While on the shop floor, officers found that two boxes of throwing knives were located under the counter. These items are prohibited weapons.”
The Sunbridge Road branch of Lynxes - one of two city centre off licences that have been stripped of their licence to sell alcohol
(Image: T&A)
What was found at Lynxes on Kirkgate?
At the Kirkgate branch, officers found 318 packets of 20 cigarettes and 11 50g pouches of hand-rolling tobacco. The tobacco was found to be counterfeit.
'Serious and deliberate criminal activity'
PC Tony Brown said the raids showed shops were involved in “serious and deliberate criminal activity” that resulted in an “unacceptable risk to public safety.”
He said the evidence showed the issues with the shops were “systemic” and “fundamental to how the businesses are run.”
PC Brown added: “The licence holder has said he wasn’t in the country at the time.
"This position doesn’t assist his cause – it raises further concerns about the management of his premises.”
Owner was in Iran at time of raids
Mr Jamal told the panel he had nothing to do with the sale of illegal goods as he was out of the country at the time of the raids, from February 17 to April 18.
In his absence “trusted staff” had ran the two stores, and Mr Jamal claimed they had decided to sell illegal products while he was not around.
Explaining his absence, Mr Jamal said: “I went to Iran. The second day I was there the war started.
"There was no internet to contact anyone. I did not know what was going on.”