A convenience store in Eastbourne, East Sussex, has had its licence revoked after illegal vapes described as numbering in their ‘thousands’ were found hidden there.
Eastbourne Borough Council’s final decision on the Zap store in Seaside Road in the town was announced at a hearing yesterday (11 May).
Trading Standards officers originally visited the store in April 2023, where they found over 300 illegal vapes. At this point, a warning letter was issued. However, just one year later, in April 2024 almost 2,000 further illegal vapes were uncovered, many of which were hidden in the basement.
Store owner Hamza Pirot had only applied for a licence to sell alcohol daily in March of this year, but at the hearing held between Trading Standards officers and members of the business was revoked.
Licensing lawyer, Shelley-Ann Flanagan, said a temporary suspension, which is often used in these circumstances, was not suitable in this case due to a consistent disregard for the rules in the past at the premises.
Pirot stated in a response that he wished to follow the letter of the law and that he intended to cooperate - even planning to stop selling vapes completely.
The decision is now open to appeal for 21 days.
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