The Licensing Sub Committee 3 (Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005) is scheduled to convene to address apologies for absence and declarations of interest. The main item on the agenda is a review of the premises licence for Harcreete Supermarket following an application made under section 51 of the Licensing Act 2003. This review was prompted by concerns raised by the Trading Standards Team at Sandwell Council and representations from other responsible authorities.

Review of Premises Licence: Harcreete Supermarket

The sub-committee is scheduled to review the premises licence for Harcreete Supermarket, located at 306 Halesowen Road, Old Hill, Cradley Heath. The application for review was submitted by the Trading Standards Team at Sandwell Council, who believe that the premises licence holder is undermining the Prevention of Crime and Disorder licensing objective.

The report pack includes a copy of the Review Application, which details the grounds for the review. According to the application, a Trading Standards inspection on 13 February 2025 found several items of concern, including:

• 75 vapes containing nicotine with a volume exceeding 2ml.
• 5 packs of Amber Leaf hand rolling tobacco that failed to comply with UK legislation.
• 12 bottles of Smirnoff Vodka with a counterfeit rear label.
• 5 bottles of Rianna prosecco with a counterfeit Italian State band of authenticity.
• 18 packets of Benson & Hedges and Business Royals cigarettes that failed tocomply with UK legislation.

A subsequent visit on 13 March 2025 resulted in the seizure of an additional 12 vapes and a case of Jägermeister.

According to the Review Application, Andrew Tandy, Senior Trading Standards Officer, stated that:

The applicant, on behalf of the Trading Standards team state the grounds for this review are therefore based upon the possession of illegal vaping, tobacco and alcohol products.

The report pack notes that representations have also been received from four responsible authorities:

• HMRC (Appendix 3)
• Public Health
• West Midlands Police
• Licensing Enforcement

The sub-committee will consider the evidence presented and take steps it considers appropriate and proportionate for the promotion of the licensing objectives¹. Options available to the committee include modifying the licence conditions, excluding a licensable activity, removing the designated premises supervisor², suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence.

The report pack includes a copy of the current Premises Licence, which was granted on 29 September 2005. The licence permits the sale of alcohol for consumption off the premises during the following hours:

• Weekdays (excluding Christmas Day): 8am to 11pm
• Sundays (excluding Christmas Day): 10am to 10.30pm
• Christmas Day: 12 noon to 3pm and 7pm to 10.30pm
• Good Friday: 8am to 10.30pm

The licence is subject to mandatory conditions, including the requirement for an age verification policy and that no alcohol is sold below the permitted price³. It also includes conditions attached after previous Trading Standards reviews in 2008 and 2011, relating to the prevention of underage sales and the presence of a personal licence holder during alcohol sales.

The report pack also contains supporting information from Immigration Enforcement, detailing a visit to the premises on 21 October 2024 where an individual with no right to work in the UK was encountered. A warning letter was issued to Mr Jagjeet Singh Kapoor, the premises licence holder, on 19 May 2025.

Public Health Sandwell MBC have also submitted evidence to inform licensing decisions, stating that:

The high levels of alcohol and tobacco related harm in Sandwell cause serious concern to Sandwell Public Health and Harcreete Supermarket 306 Halesowen Road Old Hill make a direct contribution to this situation.