I refer to the application made for a premises licence at the former China City.
As you are aware, The Voice newspaper has urged the council to consider a cumulative impact policy of granting a licence to these premises.
I support this action but wish to add further points which I believe are pertinent to the case.
I am aware that the current owner has had licences withdrawn as a result of criminal activity where smuggled goods were being sold in two other premises owned by him.
Such action must, in my opinion, bar any similar licence being granted to any premises being owned and/or operated by the individual concerned.
The more recent application made by a Birmingham City Council licence holder should cause substantial concern within any authority being approached as there must exist a question of the relationship of the applicant to the premises owner.
This could be expanded to consider whether some form of organisation is present and whether such an organisation complies fully with the legal requirements of licensing or is involved within some form of organised crime.
Certainly the smuggled importation of the cigarettes sold previously is unlikely to have been operated by a single person and any licence holder must have been fully aware of the actions being taken to avoid the duty payable as being illegal.
Further the new applicant is unlikely to be present in the premises as most licence holders in smaller businesses would be.
As a result of both the history of the current owner of the premises and of the concerns registered above, I believe the application made should be denied.
JE Andrews
via email
