Brighton shop comes under fire for displaying 'drug paraphernalia'
A Brighton vape shop owner faced criticism for displaying drug paraphernalia while applying for a drinks licence.Summary
A vape shop owner in Brighton, Satpal Singh, applied for a drinks licence for his store, V&M Store, but faced opposition from the city council and Sussex Police. Licensing officials and police expressed concerns about the display of drug paraphernalia, such as bongs, in the shop's window, which they felt was inappropriate for a business seeking an alcohol licence. The shop is located in an area saturated with alcohol outlets, and police cited high crime rates in the vicinity. The owner's representative argued that the business had taken exceptional measures, including installing specialist software and reducing sales hours, to address concerns. The representative also highlighted the potential impact of upcoming vape taxes on the business's viability compared to illicit competitors. The licensing panel is expected to make a decision within five working days.
(Source：The Argus)
