Lancashire shop handed three-month closure for illicit tobacco and vapes haul
A Lancashire shop has been forced to shut their doors for three months after Trading Standards officers seized thousands of pounds' worth of illegal tobacco products and vapes.
Dyare's Mini Market on Scotland Road in Nelson was served with a closure notice by Lancashire Constabulary on 25 June after two Lancashire County Council Trading Standards inspections.
The raids saw 359 illegal tobacco products and 19 illegal vapes seized, worth around £2,500, between March and May this year.
When an undercover Trading Standards officer went back a month later and was able to buy illegal cigarettes, a court hearing was opened within 48 hours and adjourned.
At Blackburn Magistrates on Friday, 10 July, an application for closure was made by Lancashire Constabulary under anti-social behaviour legislation designed to tackle public nuisance and disorder.
The court instructed the shop to shut for three months – the maximum time available under the legislation.
Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council said:
“Another Lancashire shop closed for illegal trading showing how determined we are to crack down on illegal tobacco by working side‑by‑side with our partners. We will continue to ensure that our communities are safe for residents and that honest businesses aren’t undercut by those who refuse to play by the rules.
“Our message is simple: shops that put profit before the wellbeing of our community have no place on our high streets. Illegal tobacco sales damage our economy and will not be tolerated.
"Our Trading Standards team always take the strongest action possible against those who openly break the law.
"We encourage anyone who has concerns about the sale of any age-restricted products to report these to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service helpline on 0808 223 1133."
A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary said:
"We are extremely pleased with this result. We have listened to the concerns from the community and worked closely with Lancashire County Council's Trading Standards to target the illegal sales of tobacco and vapes to children through the use of Civil Closure Orders.
"We want to send a clear message that through dedicated partnership working, we will continue to target and disrupt anyone involved in the sale of illegal tobacco and supplying illegal vapes to children."