Sandwell Trading Standards: Bali In this feature enforcement action licence revoked business transformed From problem trader to community champion Enforcement action by Sandwell Trading Standards and police in the West Midlands helped turn a young businessmans life around. Toan Nguyen recounts events U Gurdeep Bali said the experience of almost losing his business and ultimately his livelihood changed him as a person nder threat of losing his business and with the support of Sandwell Trading Standards officers over legal issues and best practice a West Midlands business owner turned himself around and went from being a problem trader to a community champion. Gurdeep Bali was the owner and designated premises supervisor at Hilltop Wines, in West Bromwich. While the business was under his management, the shop was a problem premises; it was caught selling tobacco and alcohol to young people, and had various issues with the police. The firms alcohol licence was revoked after representations fromSandwell Trading Standards and West Midlands Police. As a result, the business went into decline and was on the verge of closing. This dire situation prompted Gurdeep Balis father, Des Bali, to come out of retirement in an attempt to rejuvenate the business. However, when he applied for a new alcohol licence, trading standards and the police objected, as they had concerns that his son would still be involved in the shop. At the hearing, the licensing panel echoed these concerns and rejected the fathers application. Des Bali, through his solicitor, offered to take some positive steps by adding additional conditions to his alcohol licence, including restricting Gurdeep Bali from serving alcohol. A new licence was later granted, with a firm warning from the licensing committee that the business was being classified as high risk, so would be subject to stricter monitoring, including undercover test purchases for underage sales of alcohol and tobacco by Sandwell Trading Standards. At the request of the business, trading standards officers provided allthe necessary advice and assistance, including staff training around the law and best practice on preventing underage sales. Over the course of two years, the shop was subjected to three test purchases and two inspections, and on each occasion complied with the law. On a recent officer visit to the shop, Gurdeep Bali said the experience of almost losing his business and ultimately his livelihood had changed him as a person. Now a married man and a new father, he realises his past mistakes and is fully aware of the dangers of underage drinking and smoking. He took part in a DVD, produced by Sandwell Trading Standards, championing the message that selling alcohol and tobacco to children is not only legally and morally wrong, but can also have a devastating impact on young peoples lives, on the community, and on the business itself. (See panel, Offending retailers tested after viewing film.) Gurdeep Bali said: Working in partnership with our local trading standards department has helped our business thrive and be prosperous. They have been invaluable in helping us to ensure the shop is compliant with the applicable legislation, and essential in building up a good reputation within the local community. O FFENDING RETAILERS TESTE D AFTER VIEWING FILM In the first initiative of its kind in the country, Sandwell Trading Standards has introduced a new training DVD as a tool to combat underage sales of alcohol and tobacco. Highlighting the harms of selling tobacco and alcohol to young people, the short film is primarily aimed at offending retailers. It highlights the long-term impact of underage alcohol and tobacco sales on individuals, families and their communities. Similar in format to a speed awareness course, the scheme offers offending retailers and sellers the chance to watch this short film and, afterwards, pass a multiple-choice test as an alternative to enforcement action. Other local authorities have already expressed an interest in replicating the idea. Credits Toan Nguyen is a senior Sandwell Trading Standards officer. Images: Baevskiy Dmitry / Shutterstock To share this page, in the toolbar click on You might also like Rapid review: nicotine inhaling products August 2016