Five “dodgy corner shops” in Bradford have been stripped of alcohol licences after it was discovered they were selling contraband cigarettes and participating in organised criminal activity.
Conservative MP Robbie Moore is pushing for expanded powers that would enable authorities to permanently close shops engaged in illegal trading.
Despite losing their licences, all five establishments remain operational because tobacco sales do not require licensing in the UK.
Mr Moore, who represents Keighley and Ilkley, brought the matter before Parliament, arguing that replacing such illicit traders with “law-abiding, independent businesses” should be made simpler under current legislation.
The affected premises include European Food and Keighley Mini Market, situated on North Street, alongside Keighley Continental, Keighley Pound Plus and Wisla, all located on Cavendish Street.
Bradford Council’s licensing panel heard evidence that the stores employed sophisticated concealment methods, with some utilising hidden compartments and chutes to store their illicit stock.
Trading Standards officers recovered hundreds of packets of illegal cigarettes and tobacco pouches across the five locations during their investigations.
A sniffer dog deployed at Keighley Mini Market uncovered a concealed storage area packed with tobacco products, while officers discovered contraband hidden in a hollowed-out window sill at another premises.
Bradford council has cracked down on ‘dodgy corner shops’ after evidence of ‘organised criminal activity’ was uncovered
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Mr Moore raised the issue in the House of Commons, noting that Cavendish Street is set to receive £1.4million in funding to enhance traffic flow and pedestrian appeal through the previous Conservative Government’s Towns Fund.
“However, alongside the many brilliant local businesses, the street is still home to several dodgy shops,” he told MPs.
“They were stripped of their alcohol licences for illegal activity just last week, but they remain open, and no convictions have followed.”
The MP requested a parliamentary debate on granting authorities the ability to close such premises and replace them with legitimate traders.
A lawmaker has warned that ‘law-abiding, independent businesses’ have been pushed aside
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He argued these businesses “undermine legitimate traders and damage confidence in the town centre at a time when investment is being made to improve it.”
Sir Alan Campbell, Leader of the House of Commons, responded by suggesting such matters are frequently better resolved at the local level, given their dependence on specific circumstances.
He encouraged Moore to seek a Westminster Hall debate if he wished to explore the issue further with the relevant minister, particularly if existing regulations were not being properly enforced.
Meanwhile, police and trading standards have indicated that court orders to force the complete closure of the Keighley shops are under active consideration.
Revoking alcohol licences is one of the primary methods available to disrupt criminal operations at such premises, particularly those that market themselves as off-licences.