A Gwynedd shop’s bid to sell alcohol is being recommended for refusal amid concerns about “crime and disorder”. 

The shop at 280 High Street, Bangor was previously run by the City Mini Ltd company and traded under the name City Mini Market and Top Shop.

It was subject to a closure order earlier this year in connection with the sale of illegal vapes, tobacco products, and counterfeit goods. 

An application has now been submitted to Gwynedd Council for a premises licence to sell alcohol from 7am-11pm, seven days a week for the Dragon Shop Ltd, through agents The Licensing Guys.

The application will be discussed at a hearing of the council’s central licensing sub-committee on 21 September.

The Public Protection Service – Trading Standards – said objections were based on “evidence of crime and disorder associated with the premises and with the company Dragon Shop Ltd, currently trading as Top Shop”.

The report noted that a closure notice was issued on the  premises on February 26, 2026.

“At the time the shop was run by the City Mini Ltd company and traded under the name City Mini Market/Top Shop,” the report stated.

Caernarfon Magistrates Court granted a closure order and the shop was closed for three months earlier this year.

On June 30, 2026, after reopening, Trading Standards had “again received a complaint from a member of the public alleging illegal cigarettes and tobacco were being sold,” the report stated,

On August 11, 2026, Trading Standards “became aware” of a fresh application from Dragon Shop Ltd for a premises licence for the site.

Following research into intelligence and data systems operated by UK-wide Trading Standards services, it was “discovered that the director of the applicant’s company, Dragon Shop Ltd, Mr Mostafa Bayzidiazar, was associated with another shop, 85 Drake Street, Rochdale, also subject to a closure notice. It appears that Mr Bayzidiazar was the tenant at the premises at the time,” the report stated.

The report went on to say that “no changes have been made to the tenancy agreement arrangements (of the Bangor High Street site) through the agent who lets the premises, and there is no change in the bank arrangements to pay the rent for the premises”.

On August 27, 2026, Trading Standards then received information alleging that Top Shop, on Bangor High Street, was “selling illegal tobacco”.

The report said Trading Standards were “aware of a tactic across the UK, whereby shops associated with the sale of illegal goods on high streets regularly open and close limited companies and change directors to try and avoid enforcement procedures”.

“Trading Standards are concerned on the basis of the information being reported, that this is what is happening with this shop, and that the premises are still subject to anti-social behaviour, ” the report stated.

Public Protection Environmental Health said its objection was based on “preventing crime and disorder,” noting the shop was closed down earlier this year due to the “sale of counterfeit tobacco products.”

It was felt there was a risk that “the premises’ history of non-compliance could increase the risk to the public, especially the risk of harm to young people” and that “permission to sell alcohol would exacerbate the problem”.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (Public Health Wales) referenced “local evidence of alcohol-related harm in Gwynedd, with a higher than average alcohol consumption amongst young people”.

Police and the fire service are both noted as offering “no objection”.