By Scunthorpe shop owner receives ‘warning’ after bypassing electricity meter
A Scunthorpe shop licence owner has received a ‘warning’ after he bypassed the properties electricity meter.
In April, British Gas discovered a bypassed electricity meter in HA Stores, Henderson Avenue, Scunthorpe.
The company director for the convenience store had refused British Gas entry to the property, to conduct routine inspections, on several occasions.
Now, three Scunthorpe shops have been brought before a licensing hearing following additional investigations by Humberside Police.
In addition to HA Stores, a Booze Master on Frodingham Road, and Luxe Salon on Doncaster Road faced questions pertaining to bypassed electricity meters.
According to reports, Luxe Salon and the Booze Master owners suggested they could not understand why the review was taking place, before denying meters had been tampered with on their properties.
However, HA Stores’ Licence holder has received an official warning, following the investigation.
The warning, issued by North Lincolnshire Council stated:
“There was insufficient evidence submitted by the applicant for the review to demonstrate that the Licensing objectives had been breached as a result of the alleged actions of the Licence Holder with regards to the bypassing of the electricity meter at the premises.
“The Sub-Committee were also of the view that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that the Licensing Objectives would not continue to be adhered to at the premises”, it added.
“However, the Sub-Committee was concerned that the electricity meter at the premises had been bypassed. As a result, the premises licence holder was given an official warning”.
The Booze Master received no further action as the sub-committee ruled that they were not connected to the illegal activity.
It is understood that the application for Luxe Salon was rejected as the licence was surrendered 28 days prior to the hearing – the committee agreed that the application should be rejected.
