Fresh Pom, a pomegranate juice shop in Kilburn, is consulting lawyers after a GB News presenter suggested the business was a tax scam. The owners, Jaffer Al-Fadhli and his brother Nasar, said they were bewildered by the allegations and are now seeking legal advice.
Comments from GB News presenter spark controversy
Patrick Christys, a commentator on GB News, made the remarks on his podcast The Echo Uncensored. He pointed to the shop as an example of a potential scam, saying, "Drive down Kilburn High Road and you just look at the different shops that are on offer there. Why are they not getting knocks on the door from HMRC and the Inland Revenue?" He added, "There’s a shop in the London area, right, that only sells pomegranates. That’s all it is. You go into the shop and there’s just a wall of pomegranates behind you, and they just sell pomegranate juice, and that is a large premises in London, supposedly paying London business rates. If you ever want to go and look at what a scam looks like, go to places like that."
Owners respond and see sales boost
Jaffer Al-Fadhli, 27, told Metro that the comments came as a surprise. "We know exactly what we are doing and we do everything the correct way. I would love for Mr Christys to come chat with our accountant, and our lawyer," he said. Despite the negative remarks, the shop has seen a surge in customers. "I should thank him, because after the video, we got busier than ever. Hopefully he makes another one ahead of the opening of our third store," Jaffer added.
Business background and expansion
Fresh Pom currently operates two branches, in Kilburn and Birmingham, with a third location on the way. The brothers spent months sourcing the perfect pomegranates and perfecting their blending process before opening. The shop stands out on Kilburn High Road, surrounded by off-licences and second-hand furniture shops, with pomegranates piled high along the wall and a steady stream of customers seeking refreshment from the 35°C heat.
Metro has contacted GB News for comment. The incident highlights the power of media commentary to affect small businesses, both positively and negatively.
