Northampton shop has licence revoked following discovery of smuggled tobacco

A shop in Northampton has had its licence revoked after three visits from police and Trading Standards’ officers uncovered illicit tobacco.

On November 23, 2023, and June 5 and August 7 this year, the joint investigation team visited O&K supermarket in Kettering Road.

Once inside, they seized quantities of smuggled tobacco products and vapes which were concealed out of view behind the shop counter. The products weren’t stamped with any duty-paid marks, meaning that they had been imported into the UK illegally.

During each inspection, multiple breaches of the premises’ licence conditions were also found, including a failure to display Challenge 25 proof of age scheme signage at the entrance to the premises and at the point of sale.

The licence holder also demonstrated poor knowledge of the requirements of licensing law. 

As a result, the team applied for a licence review and at the West Northamptonshire Council licensing sub-committee last Tuesday (October 1), it was agreed that the premises’ licence would be revoked.

Force Licensing Sergeant Simon Moreton said: “Having a licence is a privilege and there are strict guidelines that a licence holder must abide by in order to continue being able to sell particular products.

“In situations where a licence holder doesn’t do this, we will take action as we have done here, and lack of knowledge of the rules won’t be accepted as a legitimate excuse.

“I am pleased that the licensing sub-committee has taken the decision to revoke this supermarket’s licence and I want to reassure law-abiding businesses that we will continue working hard, as a partnership, to ensure that those shops breaking the rules will be brought to book.”