A vape store has been blocked from selling alcohol – despite a pledge to ban its controversial former director from the shop.
All In One Bazaar in Canterbury High Street has seen its bid for an alcohol licence rejected by Canterbury City Council’s licensing sub-committee.
In efforts to sell booze until 11pm seven days a week, sole company director Inder Singh offered to ban his former business partner Kabir Singh – who resigned from the firm on September 15 – from the store.
Kabir’s resignation came after KentOnline reported the “ongoing pattern of criminal behaviour” displayed by the prominent businessman – though he claims he is being “harassed” by the authorities.
Arguing their case for a licence in the Canterbury City Council chamber on Wednesday (December 10), Inder and Avneet Singh – a 20-year-old living in London who was set to be the designated licence premises holder – said neither of them had anything to do with Kabir anymore.
“After Mr Inder Singh realised [Kabir] is not the right person as far as the business is concerned, he asked Mr Kabir Singh to relieve himself,” said a representative of the pair.
“He doesn’t want to get involved in anything with Kabir; he decided Kabir should not be involved at all.
“When you see somebody, and you see the person hasn’t got credibility, you tend to move him away.”
Cllr Mike Bland, chair of the subcommittee, asked: “Do you have any other business relationships with Kabir Singh of any sort, elsewhere in the country or here?”
In response, Inder Singh said: “No, no – never.”
It was later revealed Kabir was still paying All in One Bazaar’s business rates to the council – though an application to change this was being processed.
He is also the head leaseholder, receiving £60,000 a year in rent from Inder for the property.
It was pointed out that this meant the provisional condition to block Kabir from the store would be impossible to carry out – as the lease allows the landlord to enter without restriction.
Police, Trading Standards and the city council all expressed serious doubts over the legitimacy of Kabir’s resignation.
Licensing officer PC Danielle Rolfe recalled the time staff stopped police and Trading Standards from entering during a visit in July 2024. It was also revealed that earlier this year the store was caught selling vapes to underage teenagers
She included a list of allegations from the past 11 years, which included the selling of “legal highs” containing illegal substances, various confiscations of illegal vapes, and discarding waste in voids of the floor.
PC Rolfe said: “Kabir Singh has long been connected with 37 High Street, Canterbury.
“His modus operandi has always been to operate under numerous limited company names to confuse the picture of ownership.”
Trading Standards operations manager James Whiddett was equally dismissive of the application.
He told the city council Inder Singh had “intrinsically linked himself to Kabir Singh”, while it was noted Kabir has sublet the property to Inder for a sum of £60,000 a year.
“It is only now that the full and relevant history of Kabir Singh is proving an obstacle to an application that attempts are being made to distance himself,” said Mr Whiddett.
“The objections to this application are rooted in the belief that, despite weak assurances made, Kabir Singh will have an ongoing role in the business.
“The issues that can be presented in relation to his involvement demonstrate serious concerns related to each of the licensing objectives that cannot be overlooked.”
While there were no allegations regarding Inder Singh’s conduct, the application was rejected.
“We are deciding to refuse the application on this occasion,” said Cllr Mike Bland.
“We’ve listened very carefully to all representations.
“Basically, what we’re saying is, as a panel, we’re not satisfied the licensing objectives are going to be upheld or advanced by this application.”
