A SHOP described as a “hub for anti-social behaviour” held onto its licence despite allegations of selling foreign cigarettes to children as young as 13, illegally supplying alcohol and other safeguarding concerns.

When inspected, an open packet of condoms was behind under the counter and a bed was set up in a back room.

Chesham Road Convenience, also known as Premier Off Licence, did not have its licence revoked when it was reviewed on Thursday after a series of complaints from neighbours and concerns from council staff.

Licence holder Mohammed Ayyaz Khan, 47, was told by the police that he was not adequately in control of his shop.

PC John Caulfield said: “There’s things going on in that premises that you’re not aware of. Your staff and children are undermining your premises when you’re not there.”

Trading standards officers were concerned about Mr Khan not being at the premises at the times required by his licence and leaving untrained workers to run the shop.

One member of staff admitted selling illicit tobacco under the counter to teenage girls who told officers they had purchased the single cigarettes for 50p each.

When asked about the cigarettes, he told police that his boss told him to sell them to anyone.

Mr Khan told the licensing hearing panel that he fired the staff member after checking the video, but weights and measures inspector Kelly Halligan noted that the shop owner previously denied knowledge of the incident and said he fired the worker for stealing from the till.

He failed to produce CCTV footage of such incidents on two occasions saying that the videos were automatically deleted.

On another occasion, a tobacco search dog found several brands of foreign tobacco in an employee’s bag and his jacket under the counter which he claimed belonged to him.

Further concerns were raised when an open packet of condoms was found behind the counter and the employee admitted to having no training.

There was also a bed in the store room which Mr Khan said has now been removed but was used for staff to rest before he drove them home at the end of their shift.

The off licence was issued a fixed penalty notice for the sale of alcohol to a 16-year-old in December 2011 but further allegations were not investigated by police because of a lack of evidence.

Mr Khan admitted to issues with drug dealers and children loitering in the area but said he and his businesses were suffering, not contributing to the problem.

He said: “I try my best. All I want is some help from police and local residents. Clearly there’s an issue. I’m suffering as well here. They don’t buy anything from me and I don’t sell them anything. It’s clearly a drop-off point.”

However, PC Caulfield said there were serious safeguarding concerns for children in the area related to his shop.

This included a 17-year-old boy from a nearby care home found staying at the residence of his employee.

He said: “Children going missing who are reported to Greater Manchester Police have subsequently been found in the residence of one of your members of staff.”

Council officers said that Mr Khan had breached conditions on his licence and questioned whether it is a suitable location for an off licence given the issues in the area.

The licence was not revoked but it was amended to require a personal licence holder to be at the premises every day from 9am to 10pm.

A condition was also amended to state that Mr Khan must retain CCTV footage for a minimum of a three-month period.