Keighley stores retain alcohol licenses pending appeals

Four stores in Keighley are permitted to continue selling alcohol until February following successful appeals against a March decision by Bradford Council to revoke their licenses. The council had previously stripped the licenses of five town centre shops after a police and Trading Standards raid uncovered large quantities of counterfeit tobacco and evidence of links to organized crime.

The businesses involved—European Food, Keighley Mini Market, Keighley Pound Plus, and Wisla—are currently awaiting appeal hearings scheduled for February 3. During a recent hearing at Bradford Magistrates Court, representatives for the council stated that while the businesses have different license holders, there is significant evidence suggesting they are all operated by the same individual. The council maintains that the appeals are “wholly unmeritous” and noted that criminal activity has allegedly continued since the initial revocation decision.