Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team worked with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to secure the closure orders against:
- Arvest, 41 Ironmarket
- Shelby Vape Ltd, 110 High Street
- American Candy (UK Mini Market), 43 Bridge Street
American Candy and Shelby Vape Ltd were given three-month closure orders while Arvest was given a six-week closure. The closures were granted by magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Wednesday 4 November.
The closures follow inspections of the premises on 12 October.
Across the three businesses, officers seized more than 14,000 cigarettes, 5.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco and nine illegal vapes.
Illegal products had also been found during previous inspections and warnings had been issued to the businesses.
At one of the premises, officers discovered a sophisticated concealment system where a wall could be moved back to reveal a hidden stock of illegal tobacco.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council said:
“This action reflects the continued evolution of a highly effective partnership approach to tackling economic crime in Staffordshire.
“Working together across local government, Trading Standards, policing, and enforcement agencies, we are combining strategic direction with robust operational delivery to target those who seek to undermine our communities and legitimate businesses.
“The results of this operation are a testament to the commitment, expertise and teamwork of all those involved. We will continue to invest in these partnerships, develop our intelligence-led capabilities, and take decisive action against illicit trade wherever it is found.
“Our message is clear: economic crime has no place in Staffordshire, and we will continue to face it head on.”
Jonathan Gullis, Leader at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said:
"Let me be absolutely clear: if you are selling illegal tobacco, flogging illicit vapes or using our high streets for unlawful activity, you are not welcome in our Borough. We will come after you, shut you down and use every legal power at our disposal to run you out of town.
“Most local shopkeepers are decent, hardworking people who work long hours, pay their taxes and follow the rules. They are the backbone of our high streets. Why should they compete with dodgy operators making a quick profit by breaking the law? Why should parents worry about potentially dangerous products being sold in their communities?
“They shouldn’t. And under this administration, they won’t be expected to.”
The latest action follows the recent closures of Cobra Vape Shop and Simba’s shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where illegal tobacco and vapes had also been found.
Anyone with concerns about the sale of illegal goods can contact Staffordshire Trading Standards through the council's Report It webpage or by calling 01785 330356.
