A FRODSHAM shop labelled a ‘front for crime and disorder’ by police has had its premises licence permanently revoked.
Members of the Cheshire West and Chester Licensing Committee refused to grant a new premises licence for Premier Stores on Main Street Frodsham.
Police called for the closure of the family-owned shop last November after former manager Ummar Nazib was struck off the licence for possessing 21 bags of cocaine during a raid above the store.
The licensing committee revoked the shop’s licence – meaning it was unable to trade alcohol – and removed Nazib after it ruled ‘it was clear that the misuse of drugs had occurred on the premises’ after police found:
Drugs had been seized from the office on the premises.
Staff had been evasive and uncooperative, refusing to produce CCTV footage and had been threatening toward officers.
Ummar Nazib was convicted of possessing Class A and Class B drugs with intent to supply at a Chester Crown Court hearing.
The shop had appealed for the licence to be reinstated but police licensing officer Ian Savile told the committee he feared new manager Ammar Nazib, Ummar Nazib’s brother, would simply be ‘acting under the control’ of Nazib and ‘in real terms nothing would change’.
The shop can continue to sell a range of goods including newspapers, magazines and food but will be unable to sell alcohol.
