An Ormskirk shop has had extra conditions added to its licensing agreement after complaints that fake cigarettes were sold there and children were allowed to buy alcohol.
Ormskirk Superstore, on Aughton Street, was given the additional conditions at a special West Lancashire Borough Council meeting held this week to review its licence.
The shop was also accused of selling tobacco and nicotine to under-age children and selling vaping products to under-age youngsters in school uniform, according to council reports.
Other complaints included that the shop displayed cannabis images and paraphernalia in the window; selling cheap illegal tobacco under the counter and selling cheap cigarettes.
Shop owner Farhad Salehi said ‘accidents’ and mistakes had happened while he was away last year. Other staff had been responsible for the breaches, he said. He thanked councillors for not taking away his licences to sell tobacco, alcohol and vaping products, which were options for the sub-committee.
Councillors were told the incidents raised concerns around issues including protecting child from harm, unpaid tax from the illegal sale of cheaper fake cigarettes, unfair competition with other shops selling legitimate tobacco and cigarettes, and the potential wider links between organised crime and counterfeit cigarettes.
However, the council licensing review was not a criminal court hearing.
Ormskirk Superstore’s permission to sell age-restricted goods, such as cigarettes, rolling tobacco and e-cigarettes, was reviewed after public complaints, test visits and investigations by trading standards officers last year, from the summer to the winter. One complaint came from a parent of a teenager who was sold a vaping product from the shop.
This week, councillors on West Lancashire’s Licensing and Gambling Sub-Committee added four new conditions to the shop’s licensing agreement. These are:
Whenever licensable activities are taking place, at least one member of staff present within the premises must hold a personal licence.
All staff, including the ‘designated premises supervisor’, must undertake Challenge 25 refresher training at least every six months, and the details of this must be recorded in a training manual and disclosed to any authority on request.
All people including the designated premises supervisor involved in the sale of licensable products must undertake the Lancashire County Council Check 25 online training while available.
A notice must be displayed in the shop providing details of all people authorised to sell alcohol including their name, address and up-to-date contact telephone number.
A report to councillors stated a Lancashire County Council trading standards officer believed the information presented against the Aughton Road shop was ‘clear evidence that the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm in licensing objectives have been disregarded’.
The report added: “Notwithstanding any further information being provided, the county’s trading standards service respectfully requests that the committee considers whether revocation of the premises licence would be an appropriate finding in the circumstances.”
Lancashire Police were also consulted in the shop’s review. They said they had not received any specific complaints about the Aughton Road shop. However they supported the work of trading standards officers.
Last year, trading standards officers sent 14 and 15-year-old volunteers to buy age-restricted products on two occasions and twice the sales were carried out. The Ormskirk shop and its licence holder, Farhad Salehi, had failed to observe the licensing objective of protecting children from harm, it was said.
Trading standards has received a number of complaints about under-age sales and the supply of illicit tobacco . A packet of counterfeit Mayfair cigarettes was bought by a 15-year-old test buyer on August 9, 2021, and 78 illicit tobacco products were seized by trading standards on the same day.
Despite that enforcement visit, trading standards officers continued to receive complaints. A test purchase of e-cigarettes was attempted on December 22, 2021 and a 14-year-old test purchaser was sold two ‘Geek Bars’ with nicotine.
Products from the shop were tested and confirmed as counterfeit by legitimate tobacco firm representatives. The cigarettes were also not being sold in plain packaging and did not have the required health message.
Under the licensing arrangement, the shop’s owner, Farhad Salehi, is also the designated premises supervisor. Staff working in the shop on different occassions last year were named as Ali Abdullah, Dane Hama and Hama Bakr, a council report stated.
Speaking after this week’s licensing meeting to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Salehi, aged 32, said: “These accidents happened while I was out of the country last year, visiting my elderly mother in Kurdistan. She is unwell and has lost both her legs. When I came back to England and found out what had happened, I sacked all the staff.”
He added: “I will be at the shop all the time now. I know these were serious incidents. I did not know how serious the problems were at the time. There will be no accidents or mistakes whatsoever from now.”
Regarding counterfeit cigarettes, Mr Salehi said: “One of my staff bought them and sold them behind my back. I don’t know where they were from. That was the main reason I sacked the staff.”
Looking ahead, he said: “I will be getting more information from the council about licensing, personal licensing and more training. They will be sending me all the instructions. I’ll keep my eyes on the shop and take full responsibility.”
He added: “I want to thank everyone at the licensing meeting for letting me continue running the shop. I have spent 17 years building the business. I don’t want to risk that. I am really grateful. ”
Previously, Cllr Gareth Dowling, who is West Lancashire Borough Council’s cabinet member for communities and community safety, supported the licensing review and said he had received complaints about the shop. It had been a ‘welcome addition’ to the town centre but now the council had to act, he said in a report to this week’s meeting.
Britain's annual inflation rate jumped more than expected in October to back above the Bank of England's target as households and businesses faced higher energy bills, official data showed Wednesday.
The Consumer Prices Index reached 2.3 per cent from a three-year low of 1.7 percent in the 12 months to September, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.
CPI was last at 2.3 percent in April, the ONS added in a statement, while analysts' consensus had been for the rate to climb back to 2.2 percent.
The Bank of England (BoE) target stands at 2.0 percent.
"Inflation rose... as the increase in the energy price cap meant higher costs for gas and electricity compared with a fall at the same time last year," ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said of October's data.
Britain's energy regulator Ofgem sets a price cap quarterly that suppliers can charge customers. The latest increase in October was 10 per cent but this is expected to drop markedly in January according to forecasts.
The regulator had cited rising prices on international energy markets owing to increasing geopolitical tensions, and extreme weather events driving competition for gas, as the reasons behind the sharp rise.
"We know that families across Britain are still struggling with the cost of living," senior Treasury official Darren Jones said in reaction to Wednesday's inflation reading and saying the Labour government needed to do more to help.
Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 1.9 per cent in the year to October, up from 1.8 per cent to September 2024. The annual rate of 1.9 per cent in October compares with 10.1 per cent in the same month last year.
Analysts said despite prices rising faster than expected, the BoE remained on course to keep cutting British interest rates.
"But it lends some support... that the Bank will skip the December meeting and cut rates only gradually, by 25 basis points in February and at every other policy meeting until rates reach 3.50 percent in early 2026," forecast Ruth Gregory, deputy chief UK economist at Capital Economics research group.
The central bank earlier this month trimmed borrowing costs by 25 basis points to 4.75 per cent.
Following its decision, the BoE added that a maiden budget from Britain's Labour government in October, featuring tax rises and increased borrowing, would boost growth but also lift inflation.
Nestle on Tuesday said it will increase investment in advertising and marketing to 9 per cent of sales by the end of 2025. The company also announced plans to make its waters and premium beverages activities a global standalone business from New Year.
Unveiling a plan to fuel and accelerate growth at a Capital Markets Day for investors and analysts, the Swiss group also said it aims cost savings of at least CHF 2.5 billion (£2.25bn) above existing initiatives by end 2027 to fund increased investments.
“Our iconic brands and innovative products connect with people every day, at every stage of their lives. These strengths give us a unique advantage and position us to win in the marketplace. We will now invest further in our brands and growth platforms to unlock the full potential of our products for our consumers and our customers,” Laurent Freixe, Nestlé chief executive, commented.
“Our action plan will also improve the way we operate, making us more efficient, responsive and agile. I am confident that we can deliver superior, sustainable and profitable growth and gain market share, while transforming Nestlé for long-term success.”
Nestlé confirmed its 2024 guidance, with organic sales growth of around 2 per cent, underlying trading operating profit margin of around 17 per cent and underlying EPS broadly flat in constant currency. Looking ahead to 2025, the company expects an improvement in organic sales growth compared to 2024, with the underlying trading operating profit margin anticipated to be moderately lower than the 2024 guidance.
Nestle last month lowered its outlook for 2024 to 2 per cent as the company reported falling sales for the first nine months of the year.
The consumer goods major, whose brands range from Nespresso coffee capsules to Purina dog food and Haagen-Dazs ice cream, had already cut its annual sales growth expectations from 4 per cent to 3 per cent in July.
The company on Tuesday said it expects organic growth to be over 4 per cent in the medium term, in a normal operating environment, with an underlying trading operating profit margin of over 17 per cent.
Nestle said the its new action plan will allow it to drive category growth and improve market share performance.
Actions will include targeted investments in winning brands and growth platforms, more focused innovation activities to drive greater impact, and systematically addressing underperformers.
Nestle will step up investment in advertising and marketing to support growth. The necessary resources will be generated through cost savings and growth leverage.
As part of the action plan to drive operational performance, Nestle’s water and premium beverages activities will become a global standalone business under the leadership of Muriel Lienau, head of Nestlé Waters Europe, as of January 1, 2025.
Nestle said the new management will evaluate the strategy for this business, including partnership opportunities.
A single UK-wide scheme deposit return scheme (DRS) would be far more successful, efficient and effective, retailer body the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has stated, expressing surprise and some concerns over Welsh government’s decision to press ahead with its own deposit return scheme for bottles and cans and not to join a UK-wide DRS.
The Fed’s National President Mo Razzaq has further warned that this decision by Wales - coupled with its intention to include glass in its scheme - would cause unnecessary confusion. He commented: “While we applaud Wales’s desire to make its deposit return scheme a success, we would prefer to see one single scheme for the UK.
“Interoperability across the UK is vital, so that anyone buying a drinks can in England will have the confidence that they can return it in Wales.”
Razzaq added, “A single UK-wide scheme would be far more successful, efficient and effective, enabling shoppers to understand and embrace DRS as quickly as possible.”
In a written statement yesterday, the Welsh government confirmed that it “was not able to proceed with the joint process.
It had always maintained that glass would be part of its deposit return scheme. Earlier this month, the UK government confirmed that it would not include glass in the scheme.
Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, who has responsibility for climate change, confirmed Wales’s deposit return scheme “supports the transition to reuse for all drinks containers including those made from glass.”
Through DRS, consumers will pay an additional 20p when they purchase a drink in a single-use container. This is redeemed when they take the container back to a return point operator.
Razzaq added: “The Fed has always been very supportive of a UK-wide DRS as we believe it has huge potential to boost recycling and curb litter – two issues that impact on the environment and people’s quality of life.”
Welsh member Vince Malone added: “This is a concerning development, as Fed members believe a Welsh DRS scheme can only work effectively if it has a UK scale and is aligned with the rest of the country.”
According to Keep Britain Tidy’s National Litter Survey, by volume, drinks containers make up 75 per cent of the litter found on streets. Estimates suggest that more than eight billion drinks containers are wasted across the UK each year.
Retail insolvencies remained flat in the lead up to the Budget, shows a recent report, though experts feel that a wave of distress is expected following the Chancellor’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions and National Minimum Wage.
Today’s company insolvency statistics show retail trade insolvencies fell slightly from 2,101 in the 12 months to September 2023, to 2,089 in the 12 months to September 2024, and were flat month-on-month (137 in August 2024 to 138 in September 2024).
Gordon Thomson, restructuring partner at leading audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK, said, “While retail insolvencies were flat in the lead up to the Budget, a wave of distress is expected following the Chancellor’s increase in employers’ National Insurance contributions and National Minimum Wage, due to the vast number of people employed in the industry.
"The current statistics may be the calm before the storm as additional costs put further pressure on retailers’ already-stretched margins, leading to an increased rate of insolvencies in Q1 2025.
“Consumer confidence has been shaky in the lead up to the Budget, and it’s crucial this returns to avoid a disappointing Black Friday and Golden Quarter. Confidence is needed to drive a boost in consumer spending and to the overall UK economy, which saw meagre growth of 0.1% in the last quarter.
“The retail sector is also grappling with increased crime rates, which not only has a devastating impact on margins but also on staff morale. The government’s promises to tackle shoplifting are more important than ever during this festive period, but that alone won’t be enough to revive the sector.
"Retailers will be holding on to see how the next few months perform, but further support is needed to avoid more having to close their doors for good.”
Today, on The National Lottery’s 30th birthday, operator Allwyn is announcing that, through selling tickets, National Lottery retailers have helped players raise a landmark £50 billion for Good Causes since 1994 – funding an incredible 700,000 individual projects across the UK.
Allwyn is also announcing that National Lottery retailers have now earned over £8 billion in sales commission since the first draw on Saturday 19 November 1994.
In addition to changing the face of communities up and down the UK, more than 7,400 millionaires have been created and over £95 billion awarded in prizes since the launch of The National Lottery in 1994.
Over 570 dedicated independent National Lottery retailers have been selling The National Lottery since launch – including Brian McLister, owner of McLister’s Store in Ballycastle, and Raj Patel, owner of News Bit in Bushey.
Through selling National Lottery tickets to players, Raj’s store has raised over £700,000 for National Lottery Good Causes since 1994, while Brian’s store has raised over £650,000.
“I feel proud that we’ve been able to make a difference,” said Brian McLister, owner of McLister’s Store in Ballycastle. “We’ve always strived to serve our local community and to help wherever we can. It’s great to be able to see the benefit of National Lottery funding in your area. Our local museum has been completely regenerated thanks to the funding they’ve received. It feels good to know that we’ve helped in some way.”
Raj Patel, owner of News Bit in Bushey, added: “Whenever I hear that over £30 million is raised every week for Good Causes, it makes me happy that by selling tickets and Scratchcards in my store, I’m helping in some way.”
Allwyn has been running some special games and draws to celebrate three decades of The National Lottery, including:
Last Saturday’s (9 Nov) special Lotto £15 million "Must Be Won" draw which saw a millionaire made and the jackpot roll down to boost all the lower prize tiers.
A EuroMillions 100 European Millionaire Maker draw on Saturday 22 November which will see 100 prizes of £1 million (or €1 million) guaranteed to be won in a single night.
A special 30th birthday Scratchcard that hit stores in the lead up to the birthday and offers the best chance of winning £30 on a game, as well seven top prizes of £300,000.
Brian McLister
Allwyn’s Interim Retail Director, James Dunbar, said: “By selling billions of tickets, and continuing to be the majority sales channel, it’s hard to ignore just how central National Lottery retailers have been in helping players raise £50 billion for Good Causes since 1994. They’ve now earned over £8 billion in sales commission along the way, which further demonstrates the incredible impact of The National Lottery on the UK over the last 30 years. We would like to thank retailers for their amazing commitment and support over the last three decades.”
Three decades of National Lottery funding has created an unparalleled legacy: powering athletic excellence, protecting cultural treasures, advancing artistic achievement and strengthening communities nationwide.
Running alongside the major initiatives are the hundreds of thousands of grants – usually for £10,000 or less – which help small projects to make an amazing difference in their areas.
Since funding began in 1994, UK athletes have won more than 1,000 Olympic and Paralympic medals. The National Lottery has funded the making of more than 600 films which have won an incredible 551 awards, including 16 Oscars, 128 BAFTAs and 34 Cannes awards. Popular attractions and notable landmarks across the UK such as the Eden Project, the Giant’s Causeway, the Kelpies, the Angel of the North and Wembley and the Principality Stadium have all received support from The National Lottery.