An illegal worker who came into the country by a small boat was caught selling a vape to a teenager at a Cambridge shop.
The Home Office called for the premises licence at Luxa Sparkles, in Cherry Hinton Road, to be revoked after its immigration officers found the man working in the shop last November. He had entered the country illegally in May 2022.
They also found vapes advertised for sale containing more than the legal limit of 600 puffs, with some promising 10,000 puffs. And they spotted nitrous oxide canisters behind the counter.
But a licensing committee this week heard from a woman who pledged she would not let things “get out of hand again” at the family shop, pictured.
Luxa Shiny Mariflo said she was not aware of how the shop had been run by her parents, but when she found out, she had taken control and put in place “big changes”.
The illegal worker told immigration officers he had been shown how to use the shop’s till, but had not received any training on selling age restricted products, such as alcohol.
The premises licence holder at the time was Priyamwatha Mariflo, who told immigration officers the man did not work at the shop, but would “shadow” her.
The Home Office report said: “Whether by negligence or wilful blindness, an illegal worker was engaged in employment and licensable activity on the premises. Although the licence holder denied that the person was working, it is clear from the evidence provided that the person was solely responsible for running the premises and the sale of alcohol during the enforcement visit. It is considered that the licence holder attempted to deceive officers.”
Trading Standards had raised concerns after a number of visits to the store following complaints over a matter of years that it was selling age restricted products to teenagers. Trading Standards said a can of beer was sold to a 15-year-old volunteer at a test purchasing exercise in August 2022. After advice was given, the sale of alcohol to a 14-year-old at a later test purchase exercise was refused.
However, in August 2023 the illegal worker sold a vape to a 16-year-old volunteer in a third test purchase exercise. Trading Standards prosecuted the business, which pleaded guilty and was issued with a £1,000 fine, and ordered to pay costs of £250 and a £400 victim surcharge.
Cambridge City Council’s licensing sub-committee meeting on Monday, reviewing the licence, heard from an environmental health officer who said there were six complaints about the shop in the past six years – the most of any store in the city.
The officer said: “Despite persistent warnings to the business, complaints have continued. Recommendations provided by the licensing authority and the police have also seemingly been ignored.”
Licensing officers confirmed that the premises licence had already been transferred from Mrs Mariflo to her daughter, after no objections were raised by police.
Mrs Mariflo shared a statement confirming she had “relinquished all responsibility” for the shop after admitting to having “fallen short of the responsibilities”.
Cllr Russ McPherson asked how the family knew the illegal workr.
Mr Mariyanayagam Mariflo said he came from the same area as him in Sri Lanka, but was unaware of how he arrived in the UK. He said the man did not have anywhere to live so he offered him a place to stay. A doctor then gave advice about the man’s mental health and advised not to leave him on his own. Mr Mariflo said the man went wherever he did, including to the shop. However, Mr Mariflo said when the immigration visit happened, he was in Sri Lanka.
Ms Mariflo confirmed this, but said her mother was “clearly more aware of things”. Once she learned what had been going on, she took over.
She confirmed there were no longer any illegal products and she had sole responsibility for checking stock orders. She said she would be at the shop every day.
Ms Mariflo said: “The reason I want to get so involved with this is, we have had the shop since 2007 – I was five at that point – so it is very close to my heart. It is also our main source of income, it is what has brought us to where we sort of are now and it is not something I am going to let slide easily. I can assure you it is going to be under full control now that I am here. I will not let anything get out of hand again.”
After hearing her commitment, the sub-committee decided not to revoke the licence, but recommended that a licensing inspection should take place within the next six months.
