Kingston Upon Thames (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Coombe Convenience Store in Kingston has retained its licence following accusations of handling stolen goods, after a review by the local licensing authority.
After claiming that officers had discovered stolen items at the Coombe Convenience Store in Coombe Vale earlier this year, the Met Police requested Kingston Council to revoke the business’s license.
Police Sergeant Jeremy Weston said in a statement to the council that officers had seized alleged “stolen goods, including alcohol” while raiding the shop on April 17. He claimed the store “was likely used to distribute or sell illicit products”.
At the council’s license hearing on August 12, however, the police acknowledged that they had withdrawn the inquiry because of insufficient evidence. Kanapathipillai Kumaran, the business owner, was represented by Agent Gill Sherratt, who informed the meeting that there was no proof the things that the police had recovered on the day of the warrant were stolen.
According to Ms. Sherratt, Mr. Kumaran has been the lawful owner and operator of Coombe Convenience Store for 22 years, going above and beyond to support the community while abiding by all license requirements.
She claimed that throughout this time, the shop had accumulated goods and that he occasionally received presents that he would resell.
Ms Sherratt said:
“Mr Kumaran has owned this premises for over 22 years, never been in trouble before. He has over 6,000 lines of product. He works all the hours that he can do to keep his business viable. It’s chaotic, but they have a lot of loyal and grateful customers… he has personal relationships with people, which is why a lot of products come in, they go out, they end up on shelves and he does get gifts.”
The agent stressed the committee needed to make its decision based on evidence, and that there was “no evidence whatsoever that this business is involved in handling stolen goods”.
After deliberating in private, the committee confirmed that the store may retain its license with the modified requirement that it retain CCTV for 90 days rather than 31 days.
In the next several days, a comprehensive report on the committee’s conclusion will be released.
How does the police review process influence license decisions for stores like Coombe?
The police review process can significantly influence license decisions for stores like Coombe Convenience Store through what’s known as a “licence review.” The review does not take place in court but is heard before the local licensing committee, which includes council members responsible for licensing decisions.
This process is typically initiated by the police or local authority when there are concerns that a business may not be complying with key licensing objectives, such as the prevention of crime and disorder.
The police can apply for a review of a store’s premises licence if they suspect the business is involved in activities that violate licensing rules, like handling stolen goods or contributing to crime.