Shopkeeper defiant as troubled Stirchely store accused of serving alcohol ‘like it’s a bar’

A Birmingham off-licence sold booze to customers ‘as though it were a bar’ and charged rip-off prices for cigarettes, a Birmingham City Council meeting was told this week.

These further allegations at Selly Acre News on Pershore Road, Stirchley, are on top of an allegation of attempted rape in September.

Birmingham Trading Standards said it received a complaint in January 2022 that tobacco was being sold at £2.50 above the usual price. A member of the public also stated: “All the local alcoholics are drinking at the store like it’s a bar.”

Paul Ellson of Trading Standards said at the licensing meeting: “It’s quite an unusual allegation to make, I’ve only ever come across it once before during the time I’ve been working at Trading Standards. That would indicate that there is a lack of control and order within the shop.”

Temporary measures were taken to suspend the shop’s licence and remove the designated premises supervisor Mohammed Shahzad. The police have explained that Mr Mohammed Shahzad is not the suspect in the attempted rape investigation.

Mr Shahzad said on Monday: “This incident [the alleged attempted rape] that just took place last month is an accusation, it’s not been proven.

“I respect what happened because it’s a serious offence, but since that incident, my shop has been closed down. I’ve lost business and had to wipe out all the alcohol off the premises.”

He added: “These allegations of drinking in the shop – that never happened. If it happened, prove it. I should have never been suspended from my licence.”

He went on to say: “I feel like I’m the only one who is being targeted. I haven’t done anything off the books.

“Please give me this final chance to correct myself. If I don’t do it myself I will put it in the right hands. I’ve lost my business, I’ve lost my respect, I’ve lost everything.”

In response, Mr Ellson from Trading Standards said: “Whether these allegations are true or not, I think the licence should be removed.”

West Midlands Police also confirmed at the meeting that it had no confidence in the management of the shop.

A decision to revoke the shop’s licence was made shortly after the meeting. Mohammed Shahzad was also removed as the designated premises supervisor and all alcohol sales have been prohibited.

West Midlands Police told the LDRS last month: “A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape. He remains on bail while enquiries continue.”