Home Office seeks licence review after Carlisle store fails to provide CCTV footage

By: Ian Duncan, Local Democracy Reporter

Councillors will next week consider a Home Office request to review the premises licence of a Carlisle convenience store over concerns about its CCTV system.

The request – relating to the Nally Mini Market on Botchergate – is supported by Cumbria police.

It is recommended that members of Cumberland Council’s licensing sub-committee consider whether the application ‘promotes licensing objectives in the interest of the local community’.

According to the licensing report, the Home Office assessed that the mini market failed to meet its current licensing conditions regarding its CCTV system and failed to provide access when requested.

Nally Mini Market was first licensed on October 14, 2022, and the licence is held by Nally Mini Market Limited with Abdul Rahman Shamal named on behalf of the limited company.

The report states: “Officers from HM Home Office will be present at the sub-committee meeting to address members and present their application.”

In a submission, on behalf of the Chief Constable Cumbria Constabulary, PC Heidi Underwood states there were three breaches of the licensing objectives including the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and protection of children from harm.

She adds: “Police visited the premises in company with the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Officers in relation to illegal working practices.

“Whilst at the premises, police requested to review footage from the CCTV. However the CCTV in the premises was highly inadequate, the staff, including the manager, were not trained in how to use the system or how to download footage when requested, and on requesting CCTV for specific dates the footage was not available.”

In a redacted police statement from PC Mark Christie he states: “We spent about 30 minutes trying to operate the CCTV system and it was established that, not only was there not anyone on site who could operate the system.

“When [REDACTED] tried, his mouse control was damaged making access and use very difficult and when attempting to access the system and footage he did not know the password, offering over seven different incorrect passwords.”

The government department had initially raised concerns that the store had not satisfied officers regarding the prevention of illegal working at the site, which is licensed for the sale of alcohol.

However, a redacted email from Immigration Enforcement to the council’s licensing team confirms that no further action is being taken in respect of illegal working.

The sub-committee is due to meet at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Thursday (November 9) from 2pm.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the store but no one was available for comment.