In news that mirrors new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s pledge to battle illegal or ‘dodgy’ shops on the high streets of the country, yesterday (25 August) two vape shops in Lancaster city centre were ordered to close by authorities.
Lancaster Police served the closure orders to the One Stop Mini Market on Church Street, not connected to the One Stop franchise group, and a store called Euro Shop on Cheapside, after multiple Trading Standards test purchasing operations at the stores discovered both were found to be selling illegal tobacco.
Euro Shop failed five Trading Standards inspections, where illicit goods were seized. They also failed a number of test purchasing operations, selling illicit cigarettes to adult test purchasers and vapes to underage test purchasers, Lancashire Police said.
The One Stop failed seven out of a total eight inspections and three test purchasing operations, selling illicit cigarettes to adults on two occasions and to a child on one occasion.
Both Closure Orders were passed yesterday by Preston Magistrates Court, under section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime & Policing Act 2014, prohibiting anyone from entering either store until November 2026.
Dedicated targeting
Lancaster Police’s civil orders officer, Pete Burns, said of the moves: “These closure orders are the result of dedicated targeting by Lancaster Police and Lancashire Trading Standards to tackle businesses that put profit before the safety and wellbeing of our communities.
“Following test purchase operations which identified the trade of illegal tobacco, we successfully applied for the closure orders to protect local people from further harm.
“The closures send a clear message to other retailers across Lancaster and Morecambe that the trade in illegal tobacco will not be tolerated. We’ll continue to take robust action against anyone who breaks the law, particularly where vulnerable young people are being targeted, and we will not hesitate to pursue similar measures where necessary.”
Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, added: “These closure orders send a clear message that illegal traders will not be tolerated in Lancashire.
“Working closely with Lancashire Constabulary, our Trading Standards officers will continue to target businesses involved in the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products and take robust enforcement action where necessary.
“Illegal tobacco and vape sales are often just one part of a much wider pattern of offending. By targeting these activities, we are helping to disrupt criminal networks, improve community safety and ensure legitimate businesses are not placed at a disadvantage.”
The closures are part of Operation Centurion, the county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by the Police & Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
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