The Licensing Sub-Committee of Barnet Council met on Tuesday 9 June 2026 and resolved to revoke the premises licence for Transilvania Store Ltd T/A EU Mini Market. This decision was made following a review of the licence due to the sale of illicit tobacco.

Review of Premises Licence: Transilvania Store Ltd T/A EU Mini Market

The Sub-Committee considered an application to review the premises licence for Transilvania Store Ltd T/A EU Mini Market, located at 49 Golders Green Road, London NW11 8EL. The review was initiated by Karl Schultz of the London Borough of Barnet Trading Standards authority.

The primary reason for the review was the alleged sale of non-duty paid cigarettes from the premises. The application cited evidence of seizures of illicit tobacco on multiple occasions, including 23 May 2024, 30 May 2025, and 23 February 2026. The applicant, Karl Schultz, presented evidence detailing these seizures and stated that the premises had been used for criminal purposes, specifically the sale and storage of smuggled tobacco. This was considered a breach of the Licensing Act 2003, the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015.

Arguments presented by the applicant highlighted a persistent pattern of illegal trading, despite previous warnings and enforcement actions. Mr. Schultz noted that on 23 February 2026, during a joint operation with the Metropolitan Police, an individual was apprehended attempting to flee the premises with a rucksack full of illicit tobacco. He also presented evidence of ongoing intelligence suggesting continued sales, including CCTV footage showing a staff member offering illegal cigarettes to a customer. Mr. Schultz argued that the premises licence holder, Sohaib Ranjbar, had demonstrated he was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence, either through deliberate action or negligence, and that the unlawful activity would continue if the licence was not revoked.

Written representations were submitted by Tank Jowett, legal representatives for the Premises Licence Holder. These representations argued that there was no evidence that the licensing objectives had been undermined by the current licence holder or that there had been a failure to promote them. They suggested that goods seized on 30 May 2025 were recovered in a car belonging to a former director, Mr. Taraji (later clarified as Mr. Faraji).

However, the Sub-Committee considered all representations, statutory guidance, and the council's licensing policy. They noted that the Premises Licence Holder did not attend the hearing, and no formal request for an adjournment was received. The Sub-Committee was also advised to disregard a witness statement from Karl Schultz that related to a separate business premises.

Ultimately, the Licensing Sub-Committee resolved to revoke the Premises Licence for Transilvania Store Ltd T/A EU Mini Market. The reasons cited included the evidence of illicit tobacco seizures on multiple dates, the closure order obtained by the Metropolitan Police for the premises, and the belief that the licence holder had demonstrated a failure to promote the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder. The decision was made in accordance with Section 52 of the Licensing Act 2003, which allows for the revocation of a licence when deemed appropriate for the promotion of licensing objectives.

The decision will be announced within five working days, and any party aggrieved by the decision has the right to appeal to the local Magistrate's Court within 21 days of notification.