Staff members arrested and manager banned after fighting at off licence

Europa Delikatesy in Ribbleton Lane Pic: Google

A violent incident at a Ribbleton shop led to the arrests of two staff members and its licence being suspended.

Police were called to Europa Delikatesy at around 10.30pm on December 6 amid reports of fighting at the store in Ribbleton Lane at the junction with Longworth Street. Two 999 calls were made at the time but when police arrived, those present attempted to play down the incident despite one person needing hospital treatment.

Over the coming days police made repeat visits to the store and reviewed CCTV footage as well as speaking with some of those involved in the incident.

According to a report submitted to Preston City Council’s licensing department, those enquiries led to staff members being arrested on suspicion of bail. Both have since been released on bail.

After that initial incident, the shop’s licence to sell alcohol was suspended and the licensing subcommittee met on Monday to review the licence as requested by Lancashire Constabulary.

The subcommittee decided to remove director Piewant Ahmad from his role as designated premises supervisor, ban him from any involvement with the business, and order him to not to enter the building during licensed hours.

It has also added new conditions to the licence which included installing a security button, adding a screened area around the sales counter, stronger licensing training requirements, amended CCTV rules, and a requirement for annual independent compliance checks.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “We were called at 10.37pm on 6th December 2024 to a shop premises in Ribbleton Lane, Preston, to a report of an assault.

“Officers attended and two men, aged 22 and 48, were arrested on suspicion of affray. They have since been released on bail.

“Enquiries are ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting log 1481 of 6th December 2024.”

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