Troubled off-licence in Walsall gets new owners

Dalvinder Kaur Sall and Sanjeev Singh were granted a premises licence, subject to conditions, for the property on Walsall Road following a hearing at Walsall Council this week.

Previous boss Paul Sapra was stripped of his permit back in May after licensing committee members were told the shop had become a ‘hub of violent incidents’.

Problems included drug use, anti-social behaviour involving school children and weapons being found in and around the store.

One of these was described as a “Rambo” style knife which was found behind the counter.

Trading Standards also operated volunteer test purchases where an age restricted vape was sold to a 15-year-old.

But prior to the hearing, the new applicants agreed to a raft of mediated conditions with West Midlands Police, including ensuring Mr Sapra had nothing to do with the new store.

They are also committed to ensure staff are fully trained, CCTV is maintained, an incident log book is kept and Challenge 25 is operated.

Walsall Council’s licensing sub committee granted the licence subject to the mediated conditions with the police being agreed and two members of staff must be present on the premises at school opening and closing hours such as between 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm.

The store will operate with opening hours of 8am to 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 11pm on Sundays.

Two residents had objected to the application over concerns it might result in trouble returning to the area such as encouraging anti-social behaviour, people hanging around outside drinking and littering.

At a hearing in May, Mr Sapra said the problems experienced under his management were down to teenagers and a former member of staff, who was responsible for the knife and cannabis found in the shop for which he later received a court fine.

But the committee agreed with both police and Trading Standards he had failed to prevent crime and disorder, prevent public nuisance and protect children safe from harm.