WORK is progressing on a new shop in Hereford – despite claims that people from the business are involved in "criminal behaviour".

Signage for Istanbul Food went up on the store on Belmont Road this week while work was clearly underway inside.

An application was previously made to Herefordshire Council by Klaudia Paluszak to sell alcohol from the shop seven days a week.

And West Mercia Police and Trading Standards objected outright to the plans, which were withdrawn prior to being debated at last month’s meeting.

Harm reduction coordinator Jim Mooney said in his report that the police had established that the lease to the premises was in the name of a person who was not the applicant.

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“Whilst the applicant has explained that she is sub-leasing the premises from the current lease holder, she has been unable to provide supporting paperwork or information on how she intends to fund the business,” he said

“Therefore the police are concerned that the applicant is a front for others who are involved in criminal behaviour.”

Trading Standards said their objections were based upon the lack of a sub let agreement and paperwork to prove legal ownership of the business.

“If this evidence had materialised then Trading Standards would have sought to include conditions on the premises licence to promote the licensing objectives,” their report read.

“However, I have been advised by the agent that the lease will not be sublet to the applicant until which time the applicant has secured a premises licence.

“Therefore, Trading Standards are concerned that the lease holder is still in legal control of this business and not the proposed designated premises supervisor.”