‘Dual price’ shop offered cheaper vapes if customers paid in cash, trading standards claim

Chris Gee, Local Democracy Reporter

Police and trading standards are demanding tough conditions be placed on a corner shop if it is to regain an alcohol licence.

Ahead of a licensing hearing next week the owners of Krakow Grocery, Parkhills Road, Fishpool, Bury have submitted evidence in support of an application to sell booze from 9am-11pm, seven days a week.

Statements from the council licensing team, trading standards and the police all oppose the granting of a licence in its current form.

Trading standards offciers allege that during a recent visit they saw ‘dual pricing’ for vapes depending on whether customer paid by cash or card. The report also alleges officers saw a bottle of vodka being sold despite no alcohol licence being in place.

Earlier this year the licence for the shop expired when a previous company holding it was made insolvent. Evidence has been published by Bury Council ahead of the hearing on November 25 which includes objections.

The report gives details of an enforcement visit on September 20. It said: “On entering the premises, I witnessed a male member of staff selling a bottle of vodka to a customer.

“Alcohol was on display in all the fridges and behind the counter. “We reiterated advice that no alcohol could be sold from the premises until the new licence had been granted.”

During another visit on September 26 alcohol was covered and not for sale but there were other issues which led to the seizure of 147 illegal vapes. The trading standards objection, states: “There were pricing signs on the shelves in front of the vapes and the prices of the vapes depended on whether you were purchasing for cash or on a card.

“When I explained, you couldn’t legally do this I was told well ‘we pay for our vapes in cash, so we really want to be paid in cash’.

“I asked to see a receipt for the vapes purchased, but none could be found.”

All three objectors have requested additional conditions if the booze licence is granted. They include documented training records, various condition on CCTV and a Challenge 25 policy.

Documents have been lodged in support of the application by the applicant. The supporting information included pledges on not selling alcohol without the designated premises supervisor being present, no supply of alcohol to anyone without valid ID, constant CCTV recording and alcohol liquor bottles to be located behind the counter.

(Local Democracy Reporting Service)