Cradley Heath shop faces licence review after illegal cigarette sales

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 02:32 · Archive

Menna Market in Cradley Heath was forced to close for three months over illegal cigarette sales and now faces a licence review.

Menna Market in High Street, Cradley Heath, was forced to close for three months by Dudley magistrates in September over the sale of illegal cigarettes. The shop now faces a licence review by Sandwell Council, which has the power to revoke it completely.

Sandwell Council's trading standards alleged the shop had been selling illegal tobacco products since at least July last year, including supplying them to people under the age of 18. The council's licensing objection stated that 'multiple offences regarding the possession and supply of illegal cigarettes have been identified from the premises' and that 'the whole setup of the premises – the concealment of illegal cigarettes and the behaviour of the proprietors – all give rise to the conclusion that the main purpose of the premises is the supply of illegal cigarettes and tobacco'.

West Midlands Police accused Menna Market of 'deflecting responsibility' after the shop attempted to change its licence last month. The licensing committee had been scheduled to decide on licence holder changes in September but was informed at the last minute that the applications had been withdrawn.

Sandwell Council's licensing committee meets on 27 October to determine the future of the shop's licence. This closure forms part of a near year-long investigation by Sandwell Council and West Midlands Police that has resulted in ten shops in Cradley Heath being hit with temporary closure orders over the sale of drugs and counterfeit items.

How it is being reported

• Review called after Cradley Heath shop forced to close over illegal salesMenna Market has been accused by West Midlands Police of “deflecting responsibility”Express & Star · 22 Oct, 02:00
• Cradley Heath shop forced to close over illegal sales could lose licence permanentlyWest Midlands Police accused the shop of 'deflecting responsibility' after attempting to change its licence last monthBirminghamLive · 21 Oct, 05:30

In this story: Menna Market · Cradley Heath · Sandwell Council · West Midlands Police · Dudley

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