Time Called on Northfields Ave Off Licence Illegal Drink Sales

Hefty fine for selling alcohol after 11pm

Two managers at an Ealing off-licence have been heavily fined after an undercover operation by Ealing Council revealed late night drink sales.

Ahmed Bashir of Northfield Avenue and Sumaira Nabeel of Burleigh Road, Hillingdon, who both hold personal licences at Charles Food and Wine in Northfield Avenue, appeared at Acton Magistrates Court on Thursday, 3 April. They pleaded guilty and were each fined £1,950 and each ordered to pay £1,051 costs.

Action was taken after the Council’s Licensing Team received reports that the shop was selling alcohol after 11pm – later than the shop’s licence.  Officers posing as paying customers went into the shop undercover three times in May 2007 to prove staff were selling alcohol illegally. 

Head of Environmental Health and Trading Standards, Ann Hodges, said: “Alcohol is a major factor in anti-social behaviour and it’s important that we monitor bars and off-licences to make sure they’re not trading illegally.  As part of our drive to make Ealing safer we regularly carry out test purchase operations.  Licensees should be warned that we won’t hesitate to send officers in undercover to check that they’re complying with the law.”

April 18, 2008