Understand
Manchester off-licence retains its premises licence after police seized homemade rum punch and un-taxed cigarettes
Overview
Richie and Nickie's Off Licence in Manchester has kept its premises licence following a review by Manchester City Council's licensing committee. The review was triggered after police and HMRC seized jerry cans containing homemade 'Rum Beats' rum punch and Jamaican cigarettes missing UK track-and-trace codes during a visit in September. While police raised concerns over the lack of hygiene and quality control in producing the drink and estimated £929.37 in unpaid duty, the shop's legal representative defended the business, noting invoices from regular suppliers and explaining the cigarettes were personal gifts. The council lifted the temporary suspension and added a new condition regarding invoice storage.
Key points
- Manchester City Council lifted the temporary suspension of Richie and Nickie's Off Licence premises licence.
- Police and HMRC seized 11 jerry cans of homemade 'Rum Beats' rum punch, bottles, and a mixing container during a September visit.
- Authorities alleged the punch was made by mixing 63% alcohol Jamaican rum with fruit juice and sold without proper quality control.
- Police also reported finding Jamaican cigarettes lacking required UK tobacco track-and-trace codes, though a representative stated these were gifts rather than for sale.
- HMRC calculated £929.37 in unpaid duty on seized products, an amount challenged by the defence pointing to regular supplier invoices.
- The licensing committee added a new condition to the licence requiring invoices to be properly stored and made available to authorities.