Clayponds Lane Convenience Store Has Licence Revoked
Trishul Groceries found to have server alcohol to children
Volunteer teenagers helped prove the shop was a repeat offender. Picture: AI Generated
March 25, 2026
A Brentford convenience store that twice sold alcohol to children during Trading Standards test purchases has had its premises licence revoked following a Licensing Panel hearing at Hounslow House on Wednesday 18 March.
Trishul Groceries, located at 2–6 Clayponds Lane, had faced a review of its licence after Hounslow Council Trading Standards submitted an application for the removal of the licence, citing repeated breaches of the law and failures to uphold the licensing objectives. The Panel agreed with the council’s assessment and voted to revoke the licence in full.
The review followed two separate incidents in which the shop sold alcohol to underage volunteers.
The first took place on 25 May 2023, when a 14‑year‑old was served alcohol directly by the shop’s owner and Designated Premises Supervisor, Mr Thamotharampillai Gnanaharan. When challenged, he told Trading Standards officers he believed the child looked “22 or 23 years old”. He was later prosecuted and convicted at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in May 2024.
Despite the conviction, Trading Standards did not seek a licence review at the time, accepting assurances that compliance would improve.
However, on 30 October 2025, a second test purchase was carried out using a 15‑year‑old volunteer. Once again, alcohol was sold without any attempt to check age. On this occasion the sale was made by a woman who claimed she did not work for the shop, despite admitting she had scanned the alcohol, taken payment and given change. She gave the same home address as Mr Gnanaharan.
In a recorded interview under caution on 27 November 2025, Mr Gnanaharan accepted responsibility for the second sale, acknowledging that a lack of supervision had allowed it to occur. He also conceded that a new staff training regime and refusals register were introduced only after the second incident — and that he had already failed to record two refusals in the week prior to his interview.
Trading Standards argued that the business had demonstrated “systematic failure” to comply with the law and that they had “no faith” in the licence holder’s ability to uphold the licensing objectives, which include preventing crime and disorder and protecting children from harm.
No representations were submitted by residents or other interested parties before the 3 March deadline.
The Licensing Panel, chaired by Cllr Dan Bowring, heard evidence from Trading Standards officer Brian Gohery, who has more than 31 years’ enforcement experience, and from Mr Gnanaharan, who was represented by his agent, Mr Naga Rajesh.
The Panel found that the licence holder had breached all four licensing objectives and that selling alcohol to minors constituted a serious criminal offence. Members noted that the first sale had already resulted in a conviction, and that the second occurred despite assurances of improved compliance.
The Panel concluded that revocation was the only appropriate and proportionate step, stating that the repeated failures demonstrated an inability to operate the premises responsibly.
Mr Gnanaharan has the right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates’ Court. The licence remains revoked unless and until an appeal is lodged and upheld.
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