A Ribbleton convenience store could be stripped of its licence after being repeatedly caught stocking illegal vapes.

Lancashire Police and Trading Standards have jointly called for a review of the licence granted to Go Local Extra, on Ribbleton Ave, after multiple warnings went unheard.

Officers first visited in September 2023 and as well as finding the illicit vapes on display, also found that required signage such as the licence and tobacco notices were not on display. It was also found that an area of the shop not included in the licence was being used for sales.

Read more: New Preston darts venue opening at Red Rose Bowl

As a result, licence holder Nitin Limbani was given advice verbally and via email on how to vary the licence to cover this. No such application was submitted by the time officers returned in the following July and August, while further problems were found with an adequate CCTV system.

Further requests for action were made regarding the variation but with no response again received, officers returned in October when the licence had been suspecnded for failure to pay annual fees. Once, necessary signage was not on display and non-compliant vapes were available for sale.

The following day, another visit took place and the illegal vapes had taken off display but were still being stored in a stock room. A staff member insisted there were plans to throw them away but another warning was issued, this time stating any found in future would be seized.

Lancashire Constabulary licensing officer PC Ste Connolly submitted the request for a review, which will take place in a public meeting on Monday (25 November). If the subcommittee feels there is need for action, it has options including warnings, licence modifications or even removing the licence entirely.

He wrote: “Lancashire Constabulary believe that the premises are undermining the Licensing Objectives of the Prevention of Crime & Disorder, the circumstances are that the premises has been trading on a plan which does not match the current layout of the premises, despite multiple interventions and guidance the licence holder has failed to address this issue, the premises have also been found selling non-compliant vapes on multiple occasions, breaching licence conditions and failing in his duty to keep and produce licence, contrary to Section 57 of the Licensing Act 2003.”

In a submission to the licensing subcommittee, trading standards principal officer Jason Middleton concluded: “Multiple warnings and chances have been given to the business which have been ignored every time. In the opinion of Lancashire County Council Trading Standards Service the information presented is evidence that the prevention of crime and disorder licensing objectives have been disregarded at the premises.”

Subscribe: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines