Special Food Store, in St Helen’s Street, Ipswich, reapplies for premises licence after surrendering it in January

An Ipswich convenience store hopes to get its licence back after surrendering it earlier this year.

Special Food Store, in St Helen’s Street, has submitted a premises licence application to Ipswich Borough Council.

This comes two months after the store surrendered its licence at the end of January ahead of a review.

The borough council was concerned the store was involved in crime and disorder – and believed the licence holder, Saman Rashid, was ‘a front’ for Emdad and Didar Hoshyar.

Mr Rashid had been the licence holder since January 10, 2019.

The previous holder had his licence revoked after a large amount of illegal tobacco was found on site, which was then known as Sidney Mini Mart.

The council had spent years trying to get in contact with Mr Rashid.

If approved, the store would be permitted to sell alcohol between 8am and 11pm, seven days a week.

People living in the area have until April 2 to submit representations to the council.