A Wisbech convenience store’s bid to sell alcohol has been thwarted.

The premises licence application for Euro Star, of Falcon Road, was dismissed by Fenland District Council’s licensing committee.

Trading standards had urged the committee to refuse the application because applicant Dana Mohammed was caught selling illicit tobacco at another store.

During a raid at the applicant’s store in Northampton, trading standards officers discovered foreign labelled cigarette packets and hand rolling tobacco concealed in a refrigerator in a storeroom.

Prior to the hearing, Andrew Fayers, lead officer, Cambridgeshire County Council Trading Standards, said: “The applicant is known to be involved in the supply of illicit tobacco and the home address stated for the applicant is a home address given by the owner of two premises where illicit tobacco has been found.

“A business which is prepared to be involved in the sale of illicit cigarettes is not going to be concerned about breaking the law and selling tobacco or alcohol to children.

“The refusal of granting of the licence will help the service prevent criminal activities within Wisbech.

“This off licence is located in area where there is a plethora of off licences. There is no need for any more.”