AN ASHTON store which took Tameside Council to court to appeal the suspension of its licence has received a new one after surrendering its old documents.
Owners of the Best One on Canterbury Street decided to submit a new application after feeling the decision to remove the current designated premises supervisor and to suspend their current terms, ‘was excessive.’
However, The Correspondent has learned that fresh approach was accepted by Tameside Council with ‘strict conditions’ attached.
As a result, the legal challenge to the previous decision was withdrawn as the licence that had been suspended was in fact surrendered.
A meeting of Tameside Council’s Speakers Panel (Liquor Licensing) committee in June heard accusations illicit tobacco was being sold from the shop.
Trading standards officers said there had been a ‘pattern’ of behaviour from the store dating back to last June.
However, the business – owned by Iqbal Shamraiz – insisted things have been put right and a lesser suspension would be better.
They say a new man in charge after Mr Shamraiz was removed has, ‘run the business, with no issues and has introduced a due diligence folder and training for all staff.
‘We feel that option to suspend the licence for a three-month period was excessive and a shorter period of one month would have been a more proportionate and fair decision.
‘The three-month suspension together with the removal of him as DPS impacts greatly on Mr Shamraiz.’