'Don’t worry about my English' - Shop owner granted alcohol licence despite language concerns

Bryar Latif had applied for a licence for alcohol sales at a recently opened business at 22 Killinghall Road, in Bradford, and last week the application went before Bradford Council’s Licensing Panel.

He had asked for a licence to serve alcohol between 8am and midnight.

The panel eventually granted the licence, but only after raising concerns that Mr Latif seemed to struggle to understand basic questions about the licence without the aid of a translator.

Attempting to reassure members he said “lots of people” run shops in Bradford without being able to understand English.

The application, for Vape Mini Market, went before the panel due to concerns being raised by both West Yorkshire Police and officers of Bradford Council.

An objection sent to the council by West Yorkshire Police said: “Over the last six months, we have seen a significant number of incidents linked to excessive alcohol consumption within this locality.

"These include anti-social behaviour, groups congregating in public spaces, causing harassment and intimidation to residents and public nuisance including individuals loitering outside existing licensed premises, engaging in abusive behaviour, and contributing to littering and environmental decline.”

A letter from a council ward officer said: “We have had a lot of incidents where people have been causing anti-social behaviour in the area whilst being excessively intoxicated, we have had incidents where people have been subject to violent behaviour and the perpetrators or victims where excessively intoxicated. We also have had once incident where a male was violently attacked when he was excessively intoxicated.”

At a meeting of the panel on Wednesday, Mr Latif attended with a man who was introduced as his friend, and gave the name Ali Mohammed.

Lauren Smith, representing Mr Latif, pointed out that the objections referred to existing problems in the area.

He said: “These are not valid objections to this application. They are founded on general concerns in the area rather than any direct evidence that Mr Latif’s proposed premises would undermine the licensing objectives.”

Officers pointed out that Mr Latif was already the nominated licence holder for another business – Angel Store on Little Horton Lane.

Mr Latif replied: “That business is not mine, it is not my shop.”

Council legal officer Robert Brown said: “Do you intend to keep that licence in your name?”

Mr Latif replied: “Yes.”

Mr Brown said: “Do you take any payment from that business for letting them use your licence.”

Mr Latif said he did not. He said he was waiting for a “new guy” and then he would transfer the licence over.

Referring to the Killinghall Road application, Mr Latif said he would be the only person running the shop to begin with. When he was on a break or not at the business it would be closed.

Asked if he planned to have any staff he said: “I have nobody. I can’t pay for anyone.”

During the meeting Mr Ali Mohammed translated questions from the panel into Kurdish for Mr Latif.

Chair of the panel Councillor Sabiyah Khan said: “I would expect your English to be better. You are going to have responsibility as a licence holder. How will you train staff and how will you implement measures like challenge 25?”

Her comments were translated to Mr Latif by Mr Ali Mohammed, after which Mr Latif replied: “Don’t worry about my English, my English very good.”

The chair replied: “You have an interpreter with you at this moment.”

He said: “I don’t fully understand English, the same as lots of people, not just me. You don’t need proper English, running a business is easy.”

When asked to explain the four licensing objectives, Mr Latif struggled, and said: “I can’t explain, it won’t come out of my mouth.”

When officers pointed out that he will struggle to train staff when he can’t communicate basic licensing law, he replied: “I know some people who will do the training for me.”

Returning their decision, Coun Khan told Mr Latif it was important he updated himself of the licensing objectives.

They approved the licence, but limited the sale of alcohol to between 8am and 11pm.