THE council is to review the licence of a convenience store that has a ‘long history’ of Home Office Immigration Enforcement concerns.

Warrington Borough Council’s licensing sub-committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss an application for the review of a premises licence following a closure order.

This is for Bargain Beers, now called Kings Convenience, located at number 148 Orford Lane, following the receipt of a notice from the Cheshire Police on February 3.

“The grounds of the review are that the operation of the premises is undermining the licensing objectives in relation to the prevention of crime and disorder,” a pre-meeting report states.

A closure order for the Orford store was granted on January 8 at Warrington Magistrates’ Court, after the licence was surrendered in November.

The sub-committee was due to meet three months ago after the Home Office applied for the premises licence to be revoked.

This followed immigration visits that found evidence of illegal working, illicit cigarettes, and fire safety issues at the premises.

The premises licence previously granted to Chesro Ltd permitted the supply of alcohol for consumption off the premises, as well as the playing of recorded music.

However, the holder surrendered the licence ahead of the committee meeting.

Now, further documents have been submitted by the Home Office, dated February 9, raising concerns about the premises.

The Home Office has raised concerns over illegal working and illicit cigarettes

The document states: “Home Office Immigration Enforcement considers that the premises licence holder, Brenrun Ltd, is not taking suitable measures to prevent crime and disorder.

“Immigration Enforcement has a long history of concerns regarding this premises, including repeated findings of illegal working and the discovery of smuggled tobacco concealed on-site during previous visits on May 25, 2023, and January 27, 2025.

“Earlier enforcement activity identified four individuals with no right to work and breaches of licence conditions, such as a failure to provide CCTV, an absence of a displayed premises licence, and obstructive behaviour from those responsible for the premises.

“These incidents clearly undermined the licensing objectives and demonstrated a pattern of improper conduct rather than isolated failings.

“Additionally, illicit tobacco was discovered during a visit on January 25, 2023.

“A review was applied for on September 29, 2025, which was due to be heard on November 18, 2025.

“The licence was surrendered by Chesro Ltd, and then later transferred to Brenrun Ltd.

“Although further visits on August 12, 2025, and January 7, 2026, did not identify illegal workers, the premises continues to attract individuals linked to illegal working and has shown a consistent inability or unwillingness to operate compliantly.

“Given the longstanding intelligence, past confirmed illegal working, discoveries of illicit tobacco, and the premises’ repeated failure to meet legal obligations, the risk of further unlawful behaviour remains high.

“The closure notice underlines this, and revocation of the premises licence is necessary and proportionate to prevent further crime and disorder.”