Doncaster shop refused alcohol and tobacco licence after police raise concerns
It comes after the owner previously admitted selling illegal tobacco
Councillors have refused a license to sell alcohol and tobacco at a Doncaster convenience store following concerns from Trading Standards and South Yorkshire Police.
During a licensing sub-committee hearing on February 9, 2026, councillors heard how Mohammed Amin Mohammed, who owns and operates Extra Food and Drink on Carr House Road, Doncaster, had been involved in “multiple incidents” allegedly selling illicit tobacco and vapes, as well as counterfeit cigarettes.
The shop owner had applied to the City of Doncaster Council for a license to sell alcohol between the hours of 7am and 11pm.
Mr Mohammed, through his licensing agent, Nina Suresh, disputed an alleged incident involving counterfeit cigarettes, where a test purchase was conducted by a third-party, insisting the hearing was the first they had heard of the incident.
However, despite the applicant’s pleas that he had learnt his lesson, after admitting to selling illicit tobacco in a voluntary interview with Trading Standards, and undergone a licensing course, councillors refused the application Mr Mohammed had applied for.
Councillor Craig Ward, chair of the sub-committee, said councillors had heard arguments from the applicants and from Trading Standards and South Yorkshire Police and felt concerns over the previous failed test purchases at Extra Food and Drink were not able to be looked past.
Early on in the hearing, Mr Suresh informed the sub-committee that the incident Mr Mohammed admitted to in an interview was the only “incident” his client had been involved with concerning illicit or counterfeit tobacco or cigarettes.
However, Councillor Nick Allen pointed out reports from Trading Standards and South Yorkshire Police “make reference to other occasions as well”.
Faye Delaney, a Trading Standards tobacco and alcohol control officer, said Cllr Allen was correct and added: “The incident Mr Suresh refers to was relating to that one where Mr Mohammed was caught, but there have been multiple incidents leading up to that.”
South Yorkshire Police’s Andrew Petherbridge added: “I’m not quite sure what the applicant is saying, whether it was the first time, the last time or the only time.
“Police say it is not the only time and the evidence is quite clear.”
Mr Petherbridge also referenced intelligence obtained by police teams which reported “illegal sales” at the site as recently as April 2025.
Despite this, Mr Suresh continued to protest, on behalf of Mr Mohammed, whether there had been “multiple incidents”, which result in Ms Delaney listing four separate occasions where the applicant had been implicated in the alleged sales of illicit or counterfeit goods.
Cllr Ward informed the applicant his committee did not “trust” that Extra Food and Drink could uphold Doncaster’s licensing objectives – namely the prevention of crime and disorder – as he announced the panel’s decision after a period of deliberation.