More than £10,000 of booze seized at shop banned from selling alcohol

More than £10,000 of booze has been seized from a shop which had previously been banned from selling alcohol.

When officers attended Ramiro’s Off Licence, on St Helen’s Road in Bolton last year they found the huge haul of beer, wine and spirits, despite them being stripped of their licence after an earlier illegal tobacco sting.

Now shop owner Jennifer Bogdan and manager Sylvia Kone-Grain have been fined more than £3,000 after appearing in court. The pair entered the dock at Bolton Magistrates Court on 3 March charged with selling, displaying and keeping alcohol under section 136 of the licensing act, to which they pleaded guilty.

Bogdan was fined £1,027 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs. Kone-Grain was fined £1,274 and ordered to pay £500 costs.

In June last year, following a lengthy investigation by trading standards officers assisted by Greater Manchester Police, Ramiro’s was closed under the anti-social behaviour, crime and policing act. The shop was caught selling alcohol despite being previously banned from doing so.

The investigation first began in March 2021 when the shop was banned from selling alcohol after illegal tobacco was purchased during an undercover operation. In November 2021 there was intelligence from local people and businesses that the shop was selling alcohol.

In April 2022 more than £10,000 worth alcohol was seized by trading standards during searches. Bolton Council deputy leader, Coun Hilary Fairclough, said: “This business was repeatedly warned but continued to sell alcohol without a licence.

“Not only were they breaking the rules, but they were also taking business away from legitimate off licenses who operate within the law. We will not hesitate in taking action against anyone selling alcohol without a licence.

“Our trading standards and licensing officers have worked tirelessly on this case and now those responsible have been held to account.”