A Watford corner shop has lost its alcohol licence after it was caught selling illegal vapes and fake cigarettes.

RS Food & Wine, 56b Vicarage Road, had appealed against Watford Borough Council's decision to revoke the shop's permit on January 19 following “numerous and continuous breaches” between November 2022 and June 2023.

The hearing was scheduled for St Albans Magistrates’ Court on March 27, but records show the appeal was dismissed as the shop’s owner did not turn up.

RS Food & Wine was found to be selling illegal vapes up to 7,000 puffs, well above the legal limit of 600, illegal and counterfeit cigarettes, and operating without a Designated Premises Supervisor, according to Watford Borough Council.

The business broke its licence in May last year when it allowed people to drink alcohol outside its shop doorway on the day of the Watford v Stoke game in the council-ordered 'No Drinking Zone'.

Staff also sold a vape to a person under 18 without asking for ID as part of a test operation in June 2023.

The police investigation concluded they had broken all four Licensing Objectives: Prevention of Crime and Disorder, Public Safety, Prevention of Public Nuisance, and Protecting Children from Harm.

RS Food & Wine has been contacted for comment.