COUNCIL chiefs have banned a Hereford shop from selling alcohol after a police raid uncovered 32 bottles of non-duty paid vodka for sale at the site.

Herefordshire Council’s licensing sub-committee decided earlier this month to revoke the premises licence for Mila, 102-104 on Belmont Road.

The convenience store had permission for the supply and sale of alcohol for consumption off premises from Monday to Sunday from 8am to midnight.

But West Mercia Police called for a review of the licence after their officers, along with HM Revenue and Customs and UK Border Agency, raided the shop on December 12 and discovered non-duty paid alcohol at the premises.

Police Sergeant Duncan Reynolds said: “The premises were searched and a total of 32 bottles of non-duty paid vodka of various brands were found on display for sale.

“The volume of the items amounted to 23 litres and the amount of duty evaded amounted to £307. All the items were seized.

“The sale of illegal or smuggled alcohol is viewed as serious.”

West Mercia Police’s request for a review was submitted on January 11 and the council revoked the licence on March 7.

Councillors also rejected a plea to transfer the premises licence last week from Hardi Mohammed to Hersh Omar Mohammad.

The police also objected to the transfer request which was heard on March 15.

Part way through the proceedings a council officer interrupted the meeting to tell the committee they had received a call from the applicant’s agent.

Licensing officer Fred Sprigs said: “I spoke with the applicant’s agent June Clarke a few moments ago.

“She advises me that she is not coming, she thinks it’s a waste of time her coming.

“She has spoken to the applicant for the transfer and he has turned around and told her to forget it.”

Chairman Phil Cutter said the committee refused the application for a transfer based on the information provided by the police.