International Food Centre, in Binford Place, had its license revoked by Sedgemoor District Council after reports of criminal activity on the premises and its association with anti-social behaviour.

The manager of Cafe Mondo next door to the shop, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “I’m pleased the police and authorities are working on the issues here but I think the people causing the problems need help, too. They will just use another off-license. Maybe it would help if mental health or social services worked with them.

“The shop is selling the stuff to them but these people choose to buy it and drink it – revoking the license will only go part of the way in solving the issue.”

Another manager of a Binford Place business, who also wished to remain anonymous, said: “We are just hoping this will have a positive effect on the anti-social behaviour we have been experiencing.”

At the meeting on Wednesday, October 4, the panel heard how Mehmet Yildirim had repeatedly breached licensing conditions, did not keep adequate CCTV records and the store had acted as a “magnet for street drinkers”.

Bridgwater Mercury:

Jeff Savage, chairman of the council’s Licensing and Gambling Committee, said: “It is the belief of this panel that Mr Yildirim’s acceptance of his transgressions is too little, too late. The Panel has considered the suspension of the licence to enable Mr Yildirim to address the licence breaches but has no confidence in his ability to do so. The panel reiterates its comments made in January that Mr Yildirim still appears ill-equipped, unprepared and lacking in ability to manage a licensed premises.”

The revocation of the license will take effect from 8am on  Wednesday, October 25. Mr Yildirim has the right to appeal the decision at Taunton Magistrates’ Court.

Inspector Andy Pritchard, from  Avon and Somerset Police, said: “We listened to concerns and tackling anti-social behaviour among street drinkers in Bridgwater has been the number one priority for the neighbourhood team for the past couple of months.

“I am relieved that this shop, which has failed to engage with us and our partners and has failed to acknowledge the issues it has contributed to, has had its licence revoked.”

An investigation into illicit tobacco and alcohol seized from the premises on September 7 is ongoing.

Representing Mr Yildirim, solicitor Paul Rodgers said his client is keen to address the matter and resolve issues surrounding the CCTV. 

Mr Yildirim submitted a witness statement for the hearing which said: “Officials assert that I sell alcohol to drunken people who then cause disruption in the town centre. I strongly disagree with this and on the contrary, I have been attacked and the shop has been marauded because I refused to sell alcohol to these people.

“I wish to reiterate that the reason they are hanging around the shop is not because I sell them alcohol, but because there are seats near the shop and people with drinking problems congregate there. I believe that International Food Centre is being singled out for no reason.”

The panel concluded the council’s licensing objective to prevent crime was being “undermined by continual breaches of licence conditions.”