A NEWPORT convenience store which faced the prospect of having its licence revoked after breaching its conditions has been given a “second chance”.

CCTV had showed products being sold at Baneswell Express later than allowed, but Newport City Council’s licensing sub-committee decided not to rescind its licence on Monday.

It did decided remove owner Arfan Sabir as the Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS) though.

His father, Mohammed Sabir – a shop worker at the store – will also be unable to work between the hours of 6pm and 5am.

The meeting heard the store in Baneswell Road had previously breached licence conditions for selling alcohol “after hours”.

It was also warned about selling psychoactive substances after nitrous oxide charges were found dumped outside.

The most recent breaches happened on February 24 this year when customers were seen entering as late as 2am and Mohammed Sabir was seen smoking in the food store on CCTV.

Alastair Dearling, the council’s principal licensing officer, said the store had shown a “brazen disregard” to its licence conditions and that revoking the licence could be justified.

He also said it was not in the licensing authority’s interests to close the shop but that the store had been given “every opportunity.”

But Oliver Harris, representing Baneswell Express, asked for a “last chance” and gave assurances that the store would change.

Mr Harris said the problems had occurred after 6pm when Arfan Sabir was not working at the store. He also said it was often when his father was there alone.

Mr Harris said the store could give assurances that Mohammed Sabir would no longer work past 6pm.

“He (Arfan) knows this is a last chance saloon,” said Mr Harris.

“This today is going to be the catalyst for Mohammed Sabir not to be present at these critical times.”

Cllr Herbie Thomas expressed concerns that Mr Sabir’s father would find it hard to adapt to the changes.

He said: “My worry is I think your father runs the show and it will be hard for him not to keep on doing that.”

But Arfan Sabir told the meeting that his father had agreed to the proposed change of hours.

“My dad’s view is he is very sorry for this,” he added.

Mr Harris told councillors that revoking the licence would have “catastrophic consequences.”

“This is a balancing act between one last chance and the closure of this business,” he said.

“The consequences would be on the five staff employed and he will be facing bankruptcy.

“If you could be sure there’s a motivating feature for change it’s that.”

Announcing the decision by the panel of three councillors, Cllr Deb Davies said it was “incredibly disappointing” that the store was before the committee again, having previously given assurances it would improve.

Cllr Davies said it was after “considering very carefully” that the committee decided not to revoke the licence .

“We want to see Baneswell Express improve,” she told Mr Sabir.