Lark Lane newsagent shut down by Liverpool Council

A newsagent on one of south Liverpool’s best-known streets has been shut down over anti-social behaviour concerns.

A notice has been slapped outside Britannia Stores on Lark Lane by Liverpool Council officers stating the business has been closed down for at least 48 hours. The notice, signed by chief executive Andrew Lewis, said it was shut after the authority was satisfied on “reasonable grounds” that use of the premises has or will result in anti-social behaviour.

Only those living at the address are now permitted access until at least May 4, but the site could face a closure of up to three months.

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The notice made by the city council was done so under section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. It said the authority was “satisfied on reasonable grounds that the use of the particular premises has resulted or is likely soon to result in nuisance to members of the public, or that there has been, or is likely soon to be, disorder near those premises associated with the use of those premises.”

The document, which was affixed to the metal shutters outside the shop, said the notice was necessary “to prevent the nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occuring.” The closure notice took effect for 48 hours from 1.05pm today.

Only those who are “habitually resident” at the Lark Lane address are now permitted entry. A bid will now be made to close the premises for an initial three month period at Liverpool Magistrates Court tomorrow.

It is a criminal offence for anyone other than those living at the address to enter the building.

This is not the first time Britannia Stores has faced sanction. Back in 2019, proprietors of the business were fined after being found to sell single cigarettes to children.

Mohammed Jafar pleaded guilty to two offences after one of his employees was found to have sold loose cigarettes to youngsters five years ago. Mr Jafar was fined £400 for each offence including selling tobacco to children under 18 as well as supplying cigarettes in breach of packing regulations.

As well as the separate £400 fines for each offence, the judge awarded £250 costs and a victim surcharge of £40. The employee who carried out the sales had previously pleaded guilty by post, having said he did ask for ID from the child but then continued the sale anyway.

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