A convenience store in Smith's Wood, Solihull, is facing the threat of closure following allegations of selling an illegal vape to an underage person and stocking counterfeit Labubu dolls.
Licence under review after serious allegations
Paul’s Convenience Store on Rathlin Croft will have its premises licence examined by Solihull councillors at a special meeting of the Licensing Act Panel. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, at the Civic Suite.
The review was initiated in November by Richard Staveley, the council's trading standards and environment manager. The application cites the need for the protection of children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder as the primary grounds.
Details of the alleged offences
Council reports detail a series of incidents. In May, trading standards wrote to the premises advising on the national ban on single-use vapes, which started in June. Despite this, on July 16, an illegal single-use vape was sold to an underage person during a test purchase operation conducted by officers.
A follow-up inspection on July 23 led to a different discovery. While no disposable vapes were found, officers seized 44 counterfeit "Labubu" dolls. The report states these toys unlawfully used the Coca-Cola and Pop Mart trademarks. The business had reportedly purchased them for £3 each and offered them for retail at £8.
Investigations into potential criminal offences related to the counterfeit goods are stated to be ongoing.
Police support review amid wider concerns
West Midlands Police has stated it "fully supports" the licence review. In a submission, Officer Luke Prescott referenced intelligence about the premises allegedly selling cigarettes and vapes to school pupils without asking for ID.
Police also attended the store on November 3 after a report that a staff member and a council licensing officer had to lock themselves inside due to youths trying to kick the doors in. The police submission argues that irresponsible trading attracts crime and anti-social behaviour to the local area.
Labubu dolls, produced by Chinese manufacturer Pop Mart, became a viral sensation in 2025. Their popularity has made them a major target for counterfeiters, accounting for 90 per cent of fake toys seized in the UK last year, according to the Intellectual Property Office.
Possible outcomes for the store
The licensing panel has a range of options, from taking no action to imposing the most severe penalty. The possible decisions include:
- Taking no action.
- Adding new or amending existing licence conditions.
- Restricting the licensed activities or their hours.
- Removing the Designated Premises Supervisor, Jagpal Singh Chopra.
- Suspending the licence for up to three months.
- Revoking the licence entirely, forcing the shop to close.
The final decision now rests with the councillors who will consider all the evidence presented at next week's critical meeting.
