Liverpool store’s licence bid in limbo after failing knife test

Merseyside Police has objected to a convenience store being awarded a licence to sell alcohol after a kitchen knife was sold to an underage customer.

An application has been made to Liverpool Council by Josh’s Newz on County Road for a licence to trade alcohol for consumption off the premises. However, officers have raised concerns that granting permission would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and protection of children from harm.

Applicant Mohammed Nadim is seeking the council’s permission to sell alcohol from the business from 7am to 11pm daily. The store would open from 6am to 11pm.

An additional hour is sought to trade until midnight on Bank Holidays, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. However, in a written representation, PC Neil Perigo questioned if the operator would be a “responsible retailer” given two concerning test sales earlier this year.

PC Perigo said on April 3, a test purchase operation was conducted at the County Road shop with 17-year-old cadets. On that occasion, a kitchen knife was sold without challenge.

A month later, another 17-year-old was sold a scissors set, again without challenge during a second test purchase. It is an offence of selling a knife or bladed article to a person under the age of 18 (Criminal Justice Act 1988).

The representation added: “Although the premises is not currently licenced these sales of age restricted products show poor management of the venue and Merseyside Police have serious concerns that, should the licence be granted then further age-restricted offences could / would be committed. Our concerns raise the question as to whether the applicant is a responsible retailer who would uphold the licensing objectives.”

Further concerns have been raised by the force around violence in the area. PC Perigo wrote: “This beat suffers from high levels of violence, anti-social behaviour and crime and disorder.

“We believe that by granting the licence the venue would contribute to the high levels of incidents, three already seen in the locality.” No further objections have been made by the local licensing authority or safeguarding board.

The application will be considered by a trio of councillors on Thursday August 25.