Garip’s Superstore, trading as Costcutter in Farr Avenue, is still operating – despite the Home Office discovering illegal workers at the store – after it appealed a decision to revoke its premises licence.
Barking & Dagenham Council’s licensing sub-committee heard in August that Home Office immigration teams identified three employees who had “entered the UK illegally” and had outstanding asylum claims.
Numerous other licensing breaches were found, such as the obstruction of the fire exit, which were described as “so serious” that removing its licence was a “proportionate and appropriate” decision.
The shop’s licence remains active, however, after an appeal was lodged on September 12 – and a new application and a transfer application have since been submitted.
Both of these applications have been met with objections from the Metropolitan Police, and as such will be reviewed at a council meeting on Thursday (November 13).
The transfer application hopes to replace the current licence holders, Caglar Garip and Ismail Garip, with just Caglar Garip, so that he becomes the sole licence holder and store supervisor.
Although a representative from Garip’s Superstore mentioned at the August hearing that Caglar was “unaware” of who was being employed at the venue, the Met Police argues that it was still his “responsibility” at the time.
In his objection letter, PC Owen Dunn of the East Area licensing team, said: “Police do not have confidence that Caglar Garip is a suitable person to be a licence holder.
“Police cannot support them in being a suitable person to run this premises, given that they have already been in this position for a significant period and clearly failed at their responsibilities.”
A new premises licence application was also submitted under Calgar Garip’s name – with a reduction in the alcohol sale times by one hour – which received objections from both the Met and Home Office immigration teams.
In this second objection, PC Dunn said police are concerned the business is doing “everything possible” to ensure it can continue to sell alcohol at the store.
He added: “It is clear this is an attempt at every cost, to simply have an active premises licence in place at this venue.
“Something which should have been considered, prior to committing criminal offences and breaching conditions imposed on the original licence.”
READ MORE: Home Office found illegal workers at Costcutter, Barking
This representation also stated that Caglar was appointed as director of the company on August 1, but resigned on September 10 – two days before the appeal was submitted – according to Companies House.
Another objection, lodged by the Home Office’s immigration enforcement team, said that the shop has a “history of being poorly managed” and that the previous council hearing demonstrated “significant failures” in the store’s management.
It stated: “There is a lack of confidence that the premises will be managed in a manner that uphold the licensing objective, especially the prevention of crime and disorder.
“Given the history of non-compliance, we urge the licensing authority to refuse the application for a premises licence for Costcutter.”
Barking & Dagenham’s licensing sub-committee will meet to review the applications at 7pm on Thursday (November 13).
Garip’s Superstore, trading as Costcutter, declined to comment.
This paper also contacted the agent for the applications, listed as David Dadds, who has not yet responded.
