‘Nightclub’ shop loses drink licence

A WOMAN has told of her harrowing year-long ‘torture’ living above a rowdy 24-hour Costcutter plagued by anti-social behaviour.

Birmingham City Council this week stripped the convenience shop in Ryland Street, near Broad Street, of its licence to sell alcohol, which could leave it an unviable business.

There had been a string of complaints about loud music from cars in the early hours and aggressive behaviour from customers.

Licence holder Imran Saghir was also accused of acting like a ‘nightclub owner’.

One anonymous woman living above the shop had suffered problems since 2017, according to her evidence statement.

Events culminated on August 22 when she was attacked as she confronted revellers at 5am after putting up with loud music for hours.

The incident, which she filmed on her mobile phone, showed her pleading with a shop worker for help. The employee, who has since been sacked, told the group to “F** * off quick, the police are coming”.

But the woman was forced to flee screaming after one youth threatened to “box your face in”. She was also hit in the head with a CD case that had ricocheted off a wall after being thrown at her.

The victim said she suffered extreme sleep deprivation, anxiety, had lost out on thousands of pounds worth of freelance work contracts and endured a strain on her personal relationships.

She said: “I have had instances in which I have felt as though I don’t want to exist in this way any more and everything is pointless.”

Mr Saghir apologised and pleaded to keep his licence saying it was his family’s livelihood.

But the committee revoked it.