An Oxford off-license lost its permit after selling vapes and tobacco illegally. Officials had warned the store before.
They took illegal vapes and nicotine pouches. Eighty-one vapes and 169 pouches were seized. Tobacco was openly displayed there. This broke the rules.
Inspectors visited again in December, on the 17th. They found more tobacco displayed openly. Blunts, cigarettes, and rolling tobacco were visible.
The city council revoked the shop’s license. The license allowed alcohol sales between 8 AM and 9:30 PM. The decision happened March 4.
The store owner, Avtar Singh Lulpurwal, apologized. He said he felt bad about the license problems.
A police officer, Alex Bloomfield, spoke up. He said they had issues before, including underage sales and public drinking. He was “disappointed.”
Lulpurwal’s son explained the situation. He said his father didn’t grasp the legal rules. Sellers have illegal vapes in warehouses, and small businesses get targeted.
He also mentioned proxy sales are a problem. This affects all of Oxford.
Trading Standards wants businesses to succeed, but they also must protect the public. They aim for fair rules.
The council stated this isn’t about guilt or innocence. They said the owner broke the rules badly. Revoking the license was necessary.
People complained about underage sales before. This occurred since the shop got licensed in 2013.
The store has 21 days to appeal. This starts when they get the official notice. Snus has actually been illegal since 1992.