West London Off-Licence Loses Alcohol Licence After Repeated Illegal Sales
A West London convenience store has been stripped of its alcohol licence following a sustained pattern of selling illegal tobacco products and duty-free spirits to undercover trading standards officers.
Persistent Criminal Activity Uncovered
Hammersmith and Fulham Council revoked the licence for Jo Jo Convenience Store on Fulham High Street during a meeting on January 20, citing what they described as a persistent and deliberate pattern of criminal activity at the premises.
The council rejected an offer from licence holder Kalyan Singh for a three-month suspension with new conditions restricting purchases to reputable wholesalers. Instead, they opted for complete revocation after hearing evidence of multiple illegal sales between January 2022 and March 2025.
Undercover Operations Reveal Systematic Law-Breaking
According to council reports, trading standards officers conducted numerous undercover operations at the store over three years:
- In January 2022, officers seized 529 illegal e-cigarettes containing six times the maximum permitted e-liquid during a raid
- Throughout 2022, officers purchased illegal Polish-market Marlboro Gold cigarettes and uncovered concealed counterfeit shishas and duty-free Smirnoff vodka
- Between October 2024 and March 2025, officers successfully purchased duty-free cigarettes on multiple occasions despite previous interventions
A senior trading standards officer told the review meeting: "This is not a case of misunderstanding or isolated mistakes, the business has repeatedly chosen to knowingly engage in criminal conduct despite clear warnings and opportunities to comply."
Concealed Goods and Uncooperative Behaviour
The final visit in March 2025 proved particularly revealing. When officers arrived with a detection dog, Mr Singh - the only person working - made no attempt to assist despite being informed of the reason for the visit.
Officers discovered tobacco products hidden throughout the shop:
- Concealed in crisp boxes
- Hidden behind food on shelves
- Stored in boxes marked as containing legal e-cigarettes
They also retrieved 25 packs of duty-free cigarettes, seven large packs of hand-rolling tobacco, 33 oversized vapes, and six bottles of Smirnoff Vodka that owed UK duty. The vodka bottles were openly displayed on shelves behind the counter.
Management Issues and Failed Defence
The case revealed concerning management arrangements at the store. Officers noted that former licence holder Gajinder Singh Sachdeva remained an employee, while his daughter served as director of the company owning the store.
Through his representative Surendra Panchal, Mr Singh admitted awareness of counterfeit products being sold but argued for leniency. Mr Panchal claimed a three-month suspension would create "a better Mr Kalyan" and warned that complete revocation amounted to "locking them in and throwing the key away."
However, another officer countered: "I'm not convinced this business is attempting to trade legally or would in future."
Public Health Concerns and Next Steps
The trading standards officer emphasised the serious public health risks posed by the illegal goods, noting they weren't merely unlawful but potentially dangerous to consumers.
Jo Jo Convenience now has 28 days to appeal the council's decision. The case highlights ongoing enforcement challenges around illegal tobacco and alcohol sales in London, with authorities taking an increasingly firm stance against repeat offenders.
The store's history of non-compliance - from the initial 2022 e-cigarette seizure through multiple test purchases to the final 2025 discovery of concealed goods - created what council officers deemed an unacceptable pattern requiring decisive action.
