Huddersfield off-licence caught selling illegal cigarettes, alcohol to children and out-of-date food
Dubai Stores at Willow Lane, Hillhouse, has failed three test purchases carried out by West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards
A Huddersfield off-licence caught selling alcohol to children, illegal cigarettes and out-of-date food could soon lose its licence.
Dubai Stores at Willow Lane, Hillhouse, has failed three test purchases carried out by West Yorkshire Police and Trading Standards since February last year. This prompted the authorities to call for a review of the licence which will be carried out by Kirklees Council’s Licensing Panel next Tuesday (March 11).
The first test purchase, on February 13, 2024, saw two police cadets of 16 and 17 years of age able to buy alcohol. The business was given a written warning as a result. A second test purchase was carried out on November 13, this time to determine whether illegal and/or non-duty paid tobacco products were being sold. This was found to be the case.
A final visit took place between WYP and Trading Standards on January 15, 2025, where illicit cigarettes and tobacco were found hanging in a plastic bag behind the counter, with 21 illegal vapes and 147 pouches of shisha tobacco also on the premises – all of which were confiscated.
West Yorkshire Police regards the failed test purchases to demonstrate three “serious breaches” of the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder; public safety; and the protection of children from harm. They have urged the Licensing Panel to “seriously consider” revoking the licence altogether.
Trading Standards Illicit Tobacco Officer, Jason Bethell, suspects that illegal goods are being stored off the premises and topped up as and when sales require. His statement continues: “The sale of Counterfeit/Illicit Tobacco products is not a minor breach of Trading Regulations but is in fact Serious Organised Criminality. These items which cannot be legally sold in the UK are smuggled into the country on a vast scale.
“The profits of this illegal trade go to criminals while the treasury is deprived of the Tax/Excise. The current yearly loss in revenue is in excess of £2.5bn which in turn deprives public services of funding.”
Mr Bethell also highlighted the “large quantity” of out of date food items on display during this year’s visit, including baby milk that expired on March 13, 2024. On top of this, a cashier working at the store told WYP she receives £55 cash in hand for an eight hour shift – £6.87 per hour – which is against employment law.
On Tuesday, the Licensing Panel will determine the future of the licence, with several options available to it. Members could add conditions to the licence, exclude a licensable activity, remove the designated premises supervisor, suspend the licence for less than three months, or revoke it.