Hartlepool Shop Loses Licence After Selling Fake Cigarettes
- teessidetoday
- Mar 14
- 2 min read
The store, whilst being allowed to trade. can no longer sell alcohol, after councillors decided to revoke the stores licence...
14th March 2025
A Hartlepool convenience store has had its premesis licence revoked after being caught selling counterfeit cigarettes—despite reportedly receiving a final warning just last year.
Trading Standards officers from Hartlepool Borough Council carried out a number of undercover test purchases at Bellevue Booze on Sydenham Road in October, where they successfully bought fake Lambert & Butler Silver cigarettes on two separate occasions.
Following these discoveries, the council licensing sub-committee tis week decided to revoke the store’s alcohol licence, citing serious public health concerns.
Final Warning Ignored
The store's director, Hadi Azagh, admitted his mistakes and pleaded with the committee for “another massive chance” to continue trading. However, the panel was said to have been unmoved by his pleas, particularly given that the business had previously been warned about selling illicit tobacco back in 2023.
During an inspection, officers uncovered a full sleeve of counterfeit cigarettes in the stockroom, alongside multiple packs hidden within the store’s cigarette gantry. The investigation also revealed the shop was illegally selling single cans of high-strength lager and cider which was another breach of its licensing conditions.
Excuses Don’t Fly
Mr. Azagh insisted he wasn’t in the country at the time of the October sting and claimed he wasn’t entirely sure who was on shift when the illegal sales took place. Regarding the earlier offence in 2023, he admitted buying cigarettes from “a man in a van” after being assured they were legal to sell. He argued that, as a newcomer to the business, he had been unaware of the risks involved.
Despite his apologies, the committee stood firm. Chairman Ben Clayton emphasised the severity of the issue, warning that counterfeit tobacco poses a serious threat to public health.
With the store’s alcohol licence now revoked, the store can reportedly still operate, but will no longer be able to sell alcohol. Mr. Azagh does have the option to appeal the decision, but for now, the councils using the ruling to serve as a stark warning to other retailers perhaps tempted to cut corners with illicit goods.
Both Cleveland Police and council public health officials backed the decision to revoke the licence, reinforcing the message that Hartlepool Borough Council, despite previously taking a 'softly softly approach' have finally listened to public concerns & will now no longer tolerate businesses flouting the law.
