Alcohol licence is stripped from shop

An off-licence has been stripped of its licence to sell alcohol by council chiefs, after drugs were found during a police raid despite managers arguing that de-licensing would be illegal.

Bosses at Hilltop Wines argued that the removal of its licence would breach the human rights act as the shop was their livelihood, but Sandwell licensing chiefs said the rights of the community was more important.

The shop on Hill Top was raided by police on July 12 and around £100,000 of drugs were found in storerooms, vehicles and other parts of the premises.

One man was arrested at the shop and has now been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs.

Following the raid licensing chiefs suspended the licence of the shop, and at a hearing yesterday police asked the panel to revoke the licence completely.

PC James Potts said: "It is believed that drugs were being dealt over the counter in the premises, but were at the very least stored at the premises for distribution."

He said CCTV had been seized from the shop by officers. The panel heard the premises had also been subject to two previous licence reviews for under-age sales.

Speaking on behalf of the Bali family who own the shop, barrister Mr Tariq Mahmood asked that instead of revoking the licence that another member of the Bali family take over as designated premises supervisor at the shop.

He argued that no-one had been convicted of any offence at the shop, and they had a right to a livelihood. He said: "This is about the future of their business, it is a family business, and their livelihood is dependant on this business."

Sandwell Council licensing committee dismissed the argument of the Bali family and decided to revoke the licence as the drugs had been found in the licensable part of the premises and the offences were so serious.