Birmingham revokes ten premises licences since lockdown began

Covid breaches, counterfeit produce and underage sales are some of the reasons why venues have lost their licences over the past 18 months.

Birmingham City Council licensing sub-committees have taken the step of revoking premises licences in severe cases where licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003 are not being met.

These objectives include the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.

Here, we go through examples of venues which have lost their licences following review hearings since the beginning of lockdown in March last year.

Modern restaurant

The Modern restaurant, in Summer Lane, Birmingham city centre, saw its licence revoked this month following a 40-person underground shisha party during lockdown in May.

Councillors called the incident a “cynical attempt at financial gain which had directly defied the law” and also removed Yohannes Abraham as the designated premises supervisor.

Ark Convenience Store

Also this month, Ark Convenience Store in Northfield was stripped of its licence after three bottles of illicit vodka and more than 70 bottles of fake wine were found.

Surinder Singh was also removed as the shop’s DPS following the discovery by police and trading standards which came as a result of a Crimestoppers tip in February.

DC Minimarket

More than 100 packets of illicit tobacco – consisting of either counterfeit varieties or those for which duty had not been paid – were found at the Yardley shop by sniffer dogs in March.

The shop has now had its licence revoked after councillors ruled there was “a lack of professional supervision”.

La Reference

La Reference at Hockley Hill, city centre, saw its licence revoked in October last year following a number of Covid breaches and Rodrigue Kuoamo Tankeu was also removed as DPS.

On one occasion in August last year, between 60 and 80 people were found in the premises while on other visits police saw people being served at the bar against regulations, few customers or staff wearing face masks and little social distancing taking place.

KVK Supermarket

KVK Supermarket in Sutton Coldfield lost its licence after officers found 41 bottles of fake Yellow Tail wine last year.

Bottles included Pinot Grigio, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz varieties, which were confirmed as counterfeit by owner Casella Brands.

Nakira

Nakira at Suffolk Street Queensway, in the city centre, lost its licence after officers found customers still inside the venue at 12.40am in September – despite the 10pm curfew.

Anton Gasparov was removed as the DPS following the review hearing in October last year.

PBs Bar

PBs Bar in the Jewellery Quarter was the first venue in the city to have its licence taken away due to Covid breaches.

A review hearing heard officers found breaches of the Covid-19 regulations on seven occasions. Nickeshia Reid-Davidson was also removed as the DPS.

Brooklyn News

Brooklyn News in Great Barr lost its licence in May last year after the owner was caught selling booze to a 15-year-old girl.

Paramjit Singh was seen by trading standards officers serving the 15-year-old two bottles of WKD Blue alcopops without asking for ID to prove she was over 18.

Broad News/Yardley Cut Price

Broad News/Yardley Cut Price, in Yardley, was stripped of its licence in May last year after staff sold alcohol to a 15-year-old girl during a test purchase by trading standards.

The operation came after a police incident the previous November involving the shop, which resulted in accusations that a one-year-old child had been assaulted by a staff member.

Observatory pub

The Observatory pub in Lozells lost its licence in May last year following a number of complaints by nearby residents – including around noise nuisance.

The revocation also followed an incident in 2018 when a 41-year-old man was stabbed outside the pub.