Muzy Mini Market, a convenience store on Merridale Road in Wolverhampton, has had its premises licence revoked by City of Wolverhampton Council following the discovery of thousands of illegal cigarettes, non-compliant vapes, and counterfeit goods during inspections earlier this year.
The licensing committee made the decision at a hearing on August 4, citing “ongoing non-compliance” and a “lack of interest” from the owners, who failed to attend the meeting. The shop had also been found to employ an illegal worker with no right to work in the UK.
Details of the inspections
During an inspection in March, trading standards officers confiscated 1,977 illegal cigarettes, 88 non-compliant vapes, 26 banned novelty lighters, and 16 cans of counterfeit Red Bull energy drink. Ingredients and packaging for discount copy beauty products were also discovered on the premises.
A follow-up inspection in May led to the seizure of 2,500 non-duty paid cigarettes and 16 pouches of rolling tobacco. The cumulative evidence painted a picture of persistent breaches of licensing laws, particularly concerning age-restricted goods.
Licence transfer complications
The case was complicated by a licence transfer application. Following the first inspection, an application was made to transfer the licence from Mashda Bakhtiar Ali to Soren Bakhtiar Ali, which was initially approved by the council. However, during a subsequent inspection, a staff member who had worked at the shop for only three days was found to have no right to work in the UK.
The unnamed worker referred to the shop’s previous owner, Laura De La Santisimi Trinidad Garcia, which raised red flags. Investigators discovered that the transfer application had been signed by Ms Garcia six months after she had resigned as director of Muzy Local Stores. As she was incorrectly named as director, the licence was voided and transferred back to Mashda Bakhtiar Ali.
Mashda Bakhtiar Ali had been the designated premises supervisor from April 2021 to April 2026 and the premises licence holder from August 2022 to April 2026. The licence has since been held by Muzy Mart Store, formed in March this year, with Salami Karsan as sole director and Soren Bakhtiar Ali as designated premises supervisor.
Police and council response
West Midlands Police supported the revocation, accusing the shop of “poor management.” In its objection, the force stated: “It is clear from the evidence submitted by trading standards that the premise licence holder and designated premise supervisor have not carried out any due diligence into the management of this premise.”
The police added: “Trading standards document the finding of a considerable amount of non-compliant novelty lighters, illegal cigarettes, pouches of hand rolling tobacco and non-compliant vapes – all age-restricted goods. The premise has also breached several licensing conditions, suggesting poor management and failure to uphold the licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and the protection of children from harm.”
Impact on the community
The revocation means Muzy Mini Market can no longer legally sell alcohol or other regulated products. The council’s action sends a clear message to other businesses in Wolverhampton that illegal trading will not be tolerated. Trading standards officers continue to conduct routine inspections to ensure compliance with licensing laws and protect consumers from harmful counterfeit goods.
