A shop which stocked its shelves with illicit alcohol has had its licence revoked.

The owner of Palmerston Food Centre in Walthamstow faced the council’s licensing committee on Monday after being caught with thousands of items with no duty paid on them.

In November 2014, the shop in Palmerston Road was visited by officers from Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Trading Standards, along with representatives from the International Federation of Spirits Producers (IFSP).

Bottles on display were discovered to be showing counterfeit duty stamps, including 23 bottles of High Commissioner whisky and five bottles of Glen’s Vodka.

Other counterfeit items on the premises included 92 bottles of counterfeit Italian wine, eight more bottles of whisky and 4470 illicit cigarettes.

According to officers, the total duty avoided on the goods was £2044.00.

Company director, Mr Ismail Sarl of Class Supermarket Ltd, was interviewed by police in December.

During his interview he claimed that some of the items had been left by the previous owner, and that others were paid for in various cash and carry stores.

He also admitted to buying booze from an industrial unit in Barking.

Foreign cigarettes were bought from a Ukranian van driver, according to the owner, who said he sold them to foreign residents who asked for them.

Sarl of Boundary Road in Walthamstow also said the reason for buying them was because the Palmerston Road bridge closure had badly affected his business and he needed to boost his takings.

On May 15 Mr Sarl attened Thames Magistrates Court where he admitted buying counterfeit goods.

He was made to pay a total of £378 in fines and court costs. The company was made to pay £879.

A statement from HMRC said: “Mr Sarl purchased cheap alcohol from a trader whose business practice was questionable and suspicious.

“He conducted no checks on the alcohol purchased.

“Mr Sarl continued his deceitful behaviour by purchasing non UK duty paid wine and foreign cigarettes from untraceable lorry drivers.”

The owner has 21 days to appeal the decision.