Alcohol licence revoked for Trowbridge shop ordered to close
7 Days Trowbridge was ordered to shut last month
A shop in Trowbridge that has been ordered to close has now had its licence to sell alcohol revoked.
7 Days Trowbridge on Wicker Hill was told to shut for four weeks in June had repeatedly sold illegal vape products and counterfeit tobacco, despite numerous warnings from Wiltshire Trading Standards officers.
This latest step has been made after Wiltshire Council ruled that the store owner had failed to comply with two objectives of the licence, which are preventing crime and disorder and public safety.
It was noted that the premises holder had failed to update the businesses address and had extended into a neighbouring property at 6 Wicker Hill, without contact the Licensing Authority to apply for a variation to the licence. The holder had also failed to comply with a previous suspension of the premises licence.
Since opening in 2022, the business, operated by Hawkar Mohamed, had been the subject of several investigations from Wiltshire Trading Standards, with reports of illegal sales rife throughout 2023, 2024 and 2025.
In April this year, a man pulling a suitcase was stopped by Wiltshire Police close to the store. He was found with hundreds of packets of illicit tobacco and more than £1,200 in cash.
He possessed the keys to the store, where he claimed to be staying, but a subsequent search of the shop uncovered more illegal tobacco and over £3,000 in cash, with a further £2,500 on Mr Mohamed when he arrived.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste, said: "Mr Mohamed has been the subject of numerous investigations by our Trading Standards team. Despite a number of warnings and enforcement, illegal activity at his premises has continued. As such, it was felt by the Sub-Committee that there were serious concerns about the business adhering to licensing objectives, leading to the revoking of the licence."
The owner of 7 Days Trowbridge Ltd has the right to appeal the decision made at the licensing hearing; this must be lodged with the Magistrates Court within 21 days of the written notification of the outcome. In the event of an appeal being lodged, the decision made by the Licensing Sub-Committee will be deferred until the appeal is heard and any decision made by the Magistrates Court.