Shop owners who showed a “cavalier disregard” for the law have been stripped of their licences for failing to pay tax on their cigarettes and alcohol.

RK Supermarket, in Empire Parade, Edmonton, and Sheelpa Express, in Ordance Road, Enfield, had their licences revoked on April 1.

Trading Standards officers found tobacco and alcohol on which duty had not been paid at RK Supermarkets three times in four months, while Sheelpa Express was caught with 17 packets of cigarettes and 18 packets of alcohol.

After an inspection at RK Supermarkets, eight bottles of whisky were seized in August and in the same month, cigarettes on which no duty had been paid were sold to a council officer during a test purchase.

Enfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for the environment and community safety, Cllr Chris Bond, said: “These traders have shown a cavalier disregard for the law and deserved no less than to have their licences revoked. We expect businesses to behave lawfully and we’ll take appropriate action against those that choose not to.



“The supermarkets had their licences revoked on April 1. Enfield Council has revoked a total of four licences for selling items on which duty had not been paid or counterfeit goods recently.

“Businesses can appeal these decisions and continue to sell alcohol pending the outcome of their appeal.”