Police concerns over shop licence transfer plan
BBCA city centre convenience store could be prevented from transferring its premises licence amid police concerns about unlawful alcohol sales.
Durham County Council's licensing committee is due to decide whether to approve the application for Go Local, on North Road, in Durham, to move from current licence holder Kulasingam Chandramohan to Alaimagan Thangarajah.
The hearing will also consider an application to transfer the role of designated premises supervisor to Thangarajah.
But Durham Police has objected, arguing that approval would undermine the licensing objective of preventing crime and disorder.
According to a report, in April the shop was found to be operating with only one member of staff while alcohol was being sold, despite licence conditions requiring at least two members of staff to be present.
Those conditions were imposed by a licensing sub-committee when the premises licence was granted in September 2025.
During a test purchase carried out earlier this year, a young individual was able to attempt to buy alcohol without being asked for identification or challenged over their age, despite the store operating a Challenge 25 policy.
Durham Police acknowledged Thangarajah was not the premises licence holder or designated premises supervisor at the time of the alleged breaches.
But officers said the timing of the applications had raised concerns over "the true management and control of the premises".
In their objection, police said the applications had been submitted shortly after "a series of licensing breaches, enforcement interventions and ongoing concerns regarding the operation of the premises".
The objection adds the proposed changes "may not represent a genuine change in management but rather create distance between the premises and those responsible for the recent failings".
Thangarajah is due to respond to the concerns at a hearing on Monday.
