Alcohol licensing meeting over Rotherham shop delayed as owner doesn't speak English
A licensing meeting for a shop in Rawmarsh was halted after the applicant was unable to respond to questions in English.
The application, submitted by Mr Head Shinwari, is for a license to sell alcohol in a convenience shop on Monkwood Road.
During the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting, Mr Shinwari appeared with a man who said he was his landlord, who was translating for him and replying to council questions with Mr Shinwari’s answers.
Pireanthiraah Ramanathan, a local resident who had submitted written opposition to the application and attended the meeting, raised his concerns about the validity of the answers, suggesting that Mr Shinwari may be a “scapegoat” for someone else to run the business.
He said: “I have been here for the last probably four hearings. Nobody is allowed to answer for somebody else, so if this person is not good with English, they would have asked the council to hire an independent translator, because that will be proper answers.
“Whatever he will say, the other guy is translating to you, and because the other guy is translating to you, he can add his points as well.”
The resident also questioned the reliability of a training certificate submitted by Mr Shinwari.
This training certificate is obtained by those applying for a license, after they complete an exam to prove they understand licensing objectives, such as the prevention of crime and order, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
“I am wondering if his English is not good, and the other guy is answering everything, how did he pass that exam in that booklet? It will ask you what is Challenge 25, proxy sales, and what are the licensing objectives,” Mr Ramanathan said.
Before the meeting, other local residents had submitted letters of objection against license application.
One resident wrote: “The premises is located directly next to a comprehensive school. The proximity of third alcohol outlet to a school environment is deeply concerning, particularly in terms of safeguarding young people and discouraging underage access to alcohol.”
Other objections from residents spoke of concerns of anti-social behaviour, loitering, littering, noise and disorderly conduct.
The hearing was adjourned for an independent translator to be appointed.
