Spalding shop caught selling illegal cigarettes and alcohol during two undercover operations by police

7 Day Euro Store, 30 Westlode Street, Spalding, had its Alcohol Premises Licence revoked by South Holland District Council yesterday, Thursday October 11, the fourth premises to have a licence revoked in the last ten days in Lincolnshire.

The Alcohol Licensing Team from Lincolnshire Police submitted paperwork for a Licence Review Hearing following the two test purchase operations targeting the store

After hearing all the evidence they agreed with the police that the premises had been actively involved in the illegal sale of illicit cigarettes and alcohol.

The store was targeted by Lincolnshire Police and two test purchase operations were carried out, with plainclothes volunteers purchasing illegal cigarettes on both occasions. When officers entered the store they also found alcohol being sold below the mandatory price, a strong indicator that this had also been smuggled into the country - 224 cans were seized.

Sergeant Kim Enderby, Alcohol Licensing Manager for the County said, “What we discovered was deliberate criminal activity, selling cheap, dangerous cigarettes to the public of Spalding.

"Alongside the dodgy cigarettes and non-duty alcohol we found that all members of staff encountered had absolutely no training and little understanding of their responsibilities when selling alcohol.

"They breached a number of the mandatory conditions on their licence and were unable to contact or identify an individual who was actually in charge of the business. I think the fact that no one connected to this store attended at the hearing, speaks volumes.

"The main purpose for establishing this business was to facilitate the sale of illegal alcohol and cigarettes, anything else was secondary. This is an excellent decision by the council, sending a clear message to all criminals involved in this type of activity on licensed premises. T

"his is the fourth licence we have seen revoked in Lincolnshire in the last ten days. Stores that have had their licences revoked but continue with illegal sales can also expect to be targeted by Lincolnshire Police and partner agencies."

There is a 21 day appeal process; if no appeal is submitted then the revocation comes into action.