A Stockport store has been barred from selling alcohol after it repeatedly failed to carry out proper age-checks and the owner tried to hide illegal cigarettes from officials.
Stockport council licence chiefs also heard how Drinks Allowed – trading as Go Local, in Castle Street, Edgeley – had failed to comply with conditions relating to the storage of CCTV footage. A report to the authority’s licensing sub-committee described boss Ashkay Singh Ahuja as demonstrating ‘complete disregard for the law’.
His solicitor, Kashiff Khan, said Mr Ahuja accepted there had been ‘shortfalls’ and the shop ‘needed to improve’, but pleaded for him to be given a second chance, adding the revocation of the licence would be ‘devastating’ for him. However, after hearing evidence from trading standards and the council’s licensing team, the three-strong panel decided the most severe penalty was warranted.
Chair Councillor Chris Gordon said there had been ‘significant repeated failures’ in compliance and it was therefore ’reasonable, balanced, appropriate and proportionate’ to revoke the licence.
The review was triggered after police and licensing chiefs visited the shop last August as part of national illicit tobacco disruption initiative Operation CeCe.
Officials did not initially discover any illicit items during a visit to the shop on August 25, 2021 – although the ‘young male’ left in charge of the store was not authorised or trained to sell alcohol.
But GMP later received reports regarding a car at the back of the premises.
The enforcement team returned to the shop, where Mr Ahuja identified himself as the owner.
Upon access to the vehicle, the team discovered and seized 400 illicit cigarettes, 2,050g of illicit hand rolling tobacco and 230 illegal vapes with a street value of approximately £1,500.
Go Local, in Edgeley, Stockport. (Photo: Google Street View via LDRS)
A report to the licensing committee said the items had been deliberately moved and hidden by him in an attempt to evade seizure by the enforcement team.
The panel also heard how there had been a series of complaints about under-age alcohol sales, ‘fake tobacco’ and opening outside the hours of its licence.
Mr Ahuja and his counsel claimed many may have been malicious, coming from – or been encouraged by – a business rival.
However, in May last year the shop was caught selling booze to a 19-year-old test-purchaser without checking ID.
Jenette Hicks told the committee how on the day of the hearing she had visited the shop and was again served by a member of staff who did not understand how to carry out an age verification check. They were also unable to provide CCTV footage from 28 days previous – something Mr Ahuja said was down to a technical fault.
Mr Khan said Mr Ahuja was in agreement that training and oversight needed to be improved. But he added there was a ‘complete denial he had ever sold cheap or counterfeit alcohol or tobacco’.
In respect of the items found in the car, Mr Ahuja claimed that the vapes were bought from a wholesaler in Manchester, while he had then bought the tobacco from a man who had approached him afterwards.
He said none of the items had been taken into the shop after being purchased and the tobacco was for his personal use and that of his family and colleagues.
Mr Khan argued the vapes were bought in good faith and an invoice for the sale was shown to the committee.
“My client is not washing his hands from anything,” he said. “He fully accepts his responsibility and fully accepts there have been shortfalls. But would that justify a full revocation? No.”
However, trading standards officer Melony Woods urged the panel to do just that.
“The illegal items found in Mr Ahuja’s vehicle had been hidden by him in an attempt to evade seizure. Is this the kind of person that should be trusted to sell alcohol in a residential area?
“We don’t think so on the evidence available to us.”
Ms Hicks added: “How many times do we have to visit before we get the improvements? How many times have we told him of the problems we have found and yet, today, we have still found non-compliance with licensing conditions?”
After retiring for some time for deliberations the licensing panel returned with a decision to remove the premises licence.
Cllr Gordon said there were ‘serious causes for concern’ and a lack of responsibility being taken by Mr Ahuja.
Variety store chain Poundland has seen a significant reduction in serious incidents of theft and lesser cases of anti-social behaviour after installation of body cameras, one of its top executives has stated.
Calling body cameras are a "great visual deterrent" Adam Starkey, Investigations Manager at Poundland stated, "Since installation of the body cameras, we have seen a significant reduction in serious incidents.
"Colleagues have commented that the cameras support their confidence in dealing with anti-social behaviour and they feel protected in the working environment."
Having analysed data from the six months before and after installation, the stores where body cameras have been deployed have seen an average of an 11 per cent decrease in incidents reported, specifically violence towards colleagues, whereas stores without the body cameras have seen a significant increase, especially in violent, weaponised crime.
A high number of spotlight stores (high shrinkage outlets) have benefited from a significant decrease in shoplifting or have dropped off the spotlight list entirely.
"As a company we are focused on listening to our colleagues’ safety concerns and to help them with the issues they face in stores. We hold regular listening groups to encourage utilisation and share best practice.
"From an evidential point of view, the footage is of great quality and easy to manage. This gives further reassurance to our teams when we use the footage for successful prosecutions.”
The body cameras have now been deployed in 177 of the highest risk stores across Poundland and Dealz, with teams in several Pepco stores also equipped with the cameras. Stores across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland were selected based on their incident and shrinkage data.
Poundland is using Motorola Solutions’ VideoManager digital evidence management solution to prepare, store and process video data, including the ability to tag and match body camera videos with CCTV footage and other incident data.
CSE has over 30 years’ experience in providing two-way radio and body camera video solutions. It branded the cameras with bespoke logo labels for each store.
Scottish independent retail chain PGNJ Group has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing support for Glasgow charities, with total donations now exceeding £20,000.
This incredible achievement reflects the dedication and generosity of PGNJ colleagues and customers across its 11 stores, with further locations in development for 2025.
Community lies at the heart of PGNJ Group’s ethos. Through its stores and Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) initiative, the retailer has raised over £8,000 last year alone.
Recent funds will directly support vital programs that ensure that every baby, child and young person treated at Scotland's largest children's hospital receives the extra special care they deserve.
The charity provides funding life-changing projects and services for the children and families treated at Scotland's largest children's hospital.
“The Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is incredibly close to the hearts of our staff and customers," said Jay Javid, Director of PGNJ Group. "I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved together. Every penny raised in our stores through MADL and other efforts is helping to make a real difference to children and families who need it most. Thank you to everyone who has contributed.”
PGNJ Group has a proud history of giving back through MADL. Recent donations include £1,000 to James Aiton Primary School and contributions of £700 to Glasgow Cash for Kids. These acts of kindness highlight the collective commitment of PGNJ colleagues and customers to supporting their local communities.
Stores raise money through a variety of initiatives, from donation tins at checkouts to the sale of Co-op own brand products in store. This spirit of giving and connection drives the retailer’s success and deepens its bond with the communities it serves.
Kate Carroll, Head of Charity at Nisa, added: “I know how passionate Jay and his staff are about supporting their communities, so I’m delighted to see this generous donation to the Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity. I’m sure the money will go to some fantastic initiatives to support young people treated at the hospital.”
By reaching this £20,000 milestone, PGNJ Group has not only demonstrated its dedication to Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity but also reinforced its mission to put community first. As the group expands its presence in 2025, it remains steadfast in its commitment to making a difference locally and supporting causes that resonate with its staff and customers.
Using cash not only affects consumer spending habits but also supports a deep psychological sense of ownership - something rarely experienced with digital transactions, shows a new research exploring how different payment methods influence spending behaviour.
The study, published in Qualitative Market Research in late 2024, reinforce the well-documented advantages of cash, such as its accessibility, resilience, and data privacy.
The study concludes that "when we handle cash, we are not just spending money; we are parting with a piece of ourselves." While digital payments are undoubtedly convenient, the research underscores the vital role cash continues to play in both monetary systems and society.
Cash remains the most inclusive payment method, accessible to everyone, including the elderly, unbanked individuals, and those in rural areas, states the report. With increasing bank closures, access to cash has been under threat.
However, new laws from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) regulations introduced in September 2024 ensure continued protection and improvement of cash access for businesses and consumers alike.
During natural disasters, power outages, and cyberattacks, cash serves as a crucial fail-safe. Unlike digital payments, which depend on electricity and internet connectivity, cash transactions remain unaffected, ensuring that businesses can continue operating in critical situations, states the report.
As digital transactions grow, so do concerns over data privacy and fraud risks. Cash payments remain anonymous, providing consumers with peace of mind that their financial activities are not being monitored or exploited.
A 2021 white paper study from cash handling specialists Volumatic highlighted strong consumer demand for payment choice, with many preferring a combination of cash and digital methods. A diverse payment ecosystem strengthens economic stability, allowing banks and businesses to mitigate risks associated with system failures and cyber threats.
Mike Severs, Sales & Marketing Director at Volumatic, said: “With the upcoming rise in National Insurance and the National Living Wage rates, coupled with increasing business costs, we understand the challenges businesses face. Investing in cash handling equipment not only boosts efficiency but also improves financial performance - further proving the enduring value of cash.
“With cash usage on the rise and its benefits extending beyond financial considerations to consumer well-being, businesses must adapt to customer preferences.
"Offering a choice between cash and digital payments is key to meeting customer needs and ensuring a resilient, stable economy.”
For retailers concerned about handling and processing cash, innovative solutions from Volumatic offer seamless and secure management. As experts in cash handling technology, Volumatic provides tailored solutions that enhance efficiency while reducing costs.
Volumatic’s all-in-one cash-handling solution, the CounterCache intelligent (CCi), has helped retail businesses cut cash processing costs by up to 75 per cent. Acting as a secure storage device, forgery detector, and cash counter, the CCi - when paired with CashView Enterprise software - delivers real time reporting and full visibility from POS to bank deposit.
For businesses seeking simpler solutions, Volumatic also offers a range of money-counting scales, friction note counters and secure deposit devices - designed to improve efficiency and security while saving valuable time and resources.
Specialty wholesaler Cotswold Fayre has been paying a hefty amount to combat rising crime and theft on its depots by installing CCTVs and extra staff on the shop floor.
Paul Castle, managing director of Cotswold Fayre, a specialty wholesaler based in Reading, told BBC that it “paid a fortune” to have CCTV cameras installed in its two sites while employing extra staff to reduce theft loss.
Castle told BBC, “I think the independent sector is always going to get hit harder than the multiples, because we don’t have as many security guards and all of the barriers.”
Castle said that to prevent theft, Cotswold Fayre has had to hire extra staff to be on the shop floor.
He explained that while this has stopped some of the stock loss, it has also increased the company’s overheads.
"You either suffer the loss of the product going, or you pay for the extra wages to prevent it going in the first place. The reality of it is, we’ve got no other protection or backing or support from anybody or anything. It’s your wits against that of the thief.”
The cost to businesses is about more than just the value of the lost stock.
Castle said, “If somebody comes in and pinches three bottles of vodka and they’re the only three bottles of vodka I’ve got and I’ve got to wait another week [for more], I lose the sales as well as the product.”
Cotswold Fayre
Cotswold Fayre
Cotswold Fayre supplies as a wholesaler the products of over 400 brands into around 2,000 retail sites. In recent years, it begun to operate its own large scale farm shops, under the Flourish brand, which it uses to showcase the range in its wholesale division.
Its currently supplies to a broad mix of operators from farm shops, which account for 30 per cent of sales, delis, garden centres, convenience stores, which has grown to 13 per cent of sales, department stores, and online retailers, which is now accounts for a hefty 30 per cent of revenues.
Castle's statement comes as an annual crime survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that in the year to last August, customer theft rose by more than 20 per cent to £2.2 billion, taking the total cost of crime in the retail sector to nearly £4.2 billion, including the cost of crime prevention. Incidents of violence and abuse exceeded 2,000 a day for the first time.
The survey from the BRC found that a third of larger retailers rated the police response to crime on their premises as fair, good or excellent, while majority (61 per cent) considered it poor or very poor.
Diageo, the company behind Smirnoff vodka and Johnnie Walker whiskey, has said US tariffs could damage a recovery in its sales, hitting its tequila portfolio and Canadian whisky in particular.
Debra Crew, the chief executive who took over in June 2023, today (4) said that Diageo had planned for a number of potential scenarios regarding tariffs, but said the new duties announced over the weekend “could very well impact this building momentum".
“In the US, our largest market, the products which would be impacted by the tariffs would mainly be our tequila portfolio, which given geographic origin requirements must be made in Mexico, and also Canadian whisky.
“We are taking a number of actions to mitigate the impact and disruption to our business that tariffs may cause, and we will also continue to engage with the US administration on the broader impact that this will have on everyone supporting the US hospitality industry, including consumers, employees, distributors, restaurants, bars and other retail outlets.”
This could include higher prices, fewer promotions, as well reallocation of investment, inventory and supply chain management.
The warning came as the world’s largest spirits maker, which has almost 30 malt distilleries in Scotland and owns global brands such as Johnnie Walker whisky, Guinness stout, Smirnoff vodka and Captain Morgan rum, revealed that net sales dipped 0.6 per cent to £8.8bn for the six months to December 31, as an increase in organic sales was dragged back by “unfavourable” currency exchange rates.
Crew said, “Our fiscal 2025 first-half results marked a return to growth, delivering organic net sales growth of 1 per cent despite a challenging industry backdrop as consumers continue to navigate through inflationary pressures.
“The confirmation at the weekend of the implementation of tariffs in the US, whilst anticipated, could very well impact this building momentum. It also adds further complexity in our ability to provide updated forward guidance given this is a new and dynamic situation.
Reported operating profit declined 4.9 per cent for the group’s first-half period, Diageo reported.
Diageo's finance chief Nik Jhangiani said today (4) that the company estimates an around £160 million hit to operating profit in its current financial year if US tariffs on Mexico and Canada are implemented in March, about 40 per cent of which it could mitigate before any price impact.