A STOREKEEPER who couldn’t name the basic rules of operating an off-licence has had his application to sell alcohol rejected.

Harpreet Singh’s request to sell drink was turned down by Dudley’s licensing committee after he was unable to say what the four basic requirements of the licensing laws are.

Councillors refused to grant a permit to the Midland Express Ltd’s store on Manor Lane Halesowen.

Mr Singh, a company director, had applied for a permit to sell alcohol seven days a week from 9.30am to 11pm.

The committee had earlier heard objections to the application on the grounds of the opening hours and parking problems.

Cllr Ray Burston, in a written submission on behalf of people living on the nearby Shenstone Avenue, said: “Residents already suffer from parking problems relating to at the adjacent shops.

“This will further add pressure to limited on-road parking in the area which is  exacerbated by parents parking at the nearby school.”

Mr Singh, speaking through an interpreter, said the store intended to provide additional spaces to alleviate traffic problems.

He had told councillors he had previously worked in an off-licence for three years and was familiar with the regulations covering the sale of alcohol, even though he had not held a licence previously.

But when asked to name the four principle objectives of the licensing regulations Mr Singh was only able to state the protection of young people – despite having only passed a licensing exam three months earlier.

Rejecting his application, the committee’s legal officer stated that Mr Singh’s English was very limited and he was not able to explain how he would manage the premises and meet the licensing objectives despite the questions and his answers being interpreted.

He added: “In light of what the committee head today it is refusing the application because it was not satisfied that the applicant understood the responsibilities of a licensed premise holder or understood the responsibilities of the licensing objectives.”

Mr Singh was told he had 28 days to appeal the decision to a magistrates court.