Police concerns about illegal workers and smuggled goods at a newsagents in Wealdstone mean the store could lose its licence.

Express Food and Wine, in High Street, is under review after officers from the Metropolitan Police noted several breaches of its licence.

They pointed out that on more than one occasion a man with no right to work in the UK had been serving customers.

There were also issues with the shop’s CCTV system, while trading standards seized illegal tobacco products on another visit.

Met licensing officer Francesca Downes told the committee that despite her best efforts there had been “no communication” from licence holder Harmeet Singh Kapoor.

She said the application review had been brought forward since some of the activities at the shop represented a “blatant disregard for the law”.

“I am of the opinion that he has failed in his role as a business owner who will contribute to the community,” she said.

“He has not demonstrated that he is a responsible licence holder. We are doing so much good work in Wealdstone and we don’t need people taking that away.”

Mr Kapoor said he was in the process of selling Express Food and Wine and he hoped to transfer the licence to the new owner.

He explained that this is his third shop – alongside others in Isleworth and Kingsbury – and admitted that it was a struggle for him to successfully look after all of them.

“It was getting difficult for me to handle three shops, now I’m trying to get it back down so I can manage things properly,” he said.

His legal representative added that there have been no past issues relating to licences at the other premises.

Harrow Council’s licensing committee said it would review the options put forward, including a list of conditions proposed by the licence holder should it be maintained.

It will confirm its decision within five working days.