Wolverhampton Council Blocks Bid to Reopen Off-Licence Shut Down Twice Since 2023
City of Wolverhampton Council has firmly rejected an application to reopen an off-licence that had its licence revoked on two separate occasions due to serious breaches of licensing laws. The licensing subcommittee turned down plans by Hizbullah Ahmadzai and Atif Atifi to operate HA Supermarket at the former AK Convenience Store premises on Willenhall Road in East Park, Wolverhampton.
History of Licence Revocations and Serious Offences
The shop, previously known as 3 Jyott Off-Licence and later AK Convenience Store, first had its licence revoked in 2023 after owner Gurdip Singh permitted the sale of high-strength lager to a 15-year-old girl with learning difficulties. The vulnerable teenager was later hospitalised with a suspected cardiac arrest after being found collapsed in the street.
In a shocking development, the council discovered that Mr Singh had attempted to bribe the girl's father with £50 to cover medication costs in exchange for not reporting the incident to authorities. Furthermore, he deliberately allowed CCTV evidence to be deleted.
The licence was revoked for a second time last year when it emerged that Mr Singh had remained involved in the business despite being legally barred from doing so as a condition of the original revocation.
Committee Concerns Over New Applicants
During the hearing on January 29, 2026, the licensing subcommittee expressed significant concerns about the proposed new operators. The committee criticised what they described as a "lack of transparency" regarding the business sale, suggesting possible ongoing connections to the previous owner.
Even setting aside these connection concerns, the committee remained unconvinced that the inexperienced applicants possessed sufficient knowledge to operate an off-licence safely and legally. Remarkably, neither applicant could name any of the four licensing objectives despite having recently completed training.
The licensing objectives include:
- Preventing crime and disorder
- Ensuring public safety
- Preventing public nuisance
- Protecting children from harm
Pattern of Underage Sales and Continued Investigation
The council's investigation revealed a disturbing pattern of underage sales at the premises. Following the initial incident involving the 15-year-old girl, the shop owner's 16-year-old son was believed to have sold two cans of gin and tonic to an undercover child during a council test purchase operation without requesting identification.
The shop remains under active investigation by City of Wolverhampton Council regarding continued alcohol sales after the licence had been officially revoked. This ongoing scrutiny further influenced the committee's decision to reject the new application.
Committee's Firm Stance on Licensing Enforcement
The licensing subcommittee minutes from the 2023 hearing stated clearly: "The licensing subcommittee felt that they had no option but to revoke the licence given the serious harm caused to a vulnerable fifteen year old girl by the underage sale of alcohol."
The committee emphasised that suspension or imposing conditions would have been inadequate responses given the severity of the incidents and the admitted criminality of Mr Singh's actions. This firm stance has clearly continued into the current decision-making process.
The council's decisive action demonstrates their commitment to rigorous licensing enforcement and protecting vulnerable members of the community from harm. The rejection sends a clear message that establishments with serious compliance histories will face significant scrutiny when attempting to resume operations.
