Hartlepool store Headland Local Shop seeks to get alcohol sales ban overturned
An application has been lodged to allow a store to sell alcohol once again after it was stripped of its licence only months ago following concerns around illegal vapes and underage cigarette sales.
Headland Local Shop at 31 Northgate had its licence revoked in August 2025 after an operation by Hartlepool Borough Council trading standards chiefs.
This involved two 14-year-old volunteers covertly entering under the supervision of officers and they were sold a packet of 20 cigarettes and a packet of cigarette papers.
Trading standards chiefs later found “270 illegal vapes on open display behind the counter” and that CCTV requirements had also not been complied with.
Cleveland Police and council public health officials also outlined their concerns when the council met to revoke the licence.
Trading standards officer Josh Maitland, speaking at the meeting, said: “We consider the sale of cigarettes to children a very serious issue.”
Now a new application has been lodged by Vasuki Navaraththinarasa seeking to obtain a licence for the store to sell alcohol between the hours of 6am and midnight.
It notes the applicant is “taking over the business” and will “be renovating/refurbishing to operate an upgraded local store”.
The application also states the previous manager “has left the business” and will have no involvement “whatsoever” with the shop’s operation.
It continues: “The store employs local staff and there is a huge support from local residents to have alcohol as part of the products.”
The proposals also stress various measures will be in place to ensure the store complies with licensing objectives and no issues occur.
Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by Cleveland Police relating to separate proposals for the store to sell alcohol on a temporary basis ahead of a decision being made on the licensing application.
A statement from PC Clare Lawton notes the agent for the proposals said in a meeting with officers the applicant is “the wife of one of the previous premises licence holders/dedicated premises supervisor” – which they have sought to clarify.
A date for a decision to be made on the applications has still to be confirmed.