A shop accused of selling illicit tobacco is still open more than six months after Manchester council revoked its licence because it has been held up in the courts. Euro Market in Cheetham Hill Road had its licence revoked in December after council staff claimed a chute from the flat above was used to sell illicit items.
However, the owner appealed this decision, allowing the business to continue operating as usual until the appeal is heard at Manchester Magistrates' Court. The business has since applied for a new premises licence which councillors on the licensing panel rejected at a town hall hearing on Monday (June 13).
It comes after a member of staff at the shop - who the owner claims has now been fired - was caught by council officers selling illegal cigarettes last month. A subsequent search of the premises carried out by the trading standards team on May 23 found no illicit tobacco products in the shop or the flat above it, but the owner failed to hand over CCTV footage requested by the council.
