A SHOP in Coventry which persistently sold illegal tobacco and vaping products – sometimes to under 18s – has been shut down for three months.
Saad Supermarket – previously Victoria Mini Market – in Primrose Hill Street has been ordered to close completely for three months – during which time no-one is allowed to access or remain on the premises.
Coventry City Council’s (CCC) Trading Standards and Legal teams successfully applied to Coventry Magistrates Court for a Closure Order.
The Court heard that despite warnings, there were continued sales of illicit products from the shop, sometimes to minors.
The council added that action was particularly necessary due to the shop’s proximity to a local school.
Costs of £4,974.26 were awarded to the Council, to be paid by the operator of the business and the landlord of the premises.
Those found in breach of the Closure Order may be imprisoned, fined or both. It will remain in force until midnight on Tuesday April 15.
CCC deputy leader Coun Abdul Salam Khan said: “Our trading standards and legal teams once again have taken the necessary action against businesses who ignore the law.
“It’s important that we publicise this work because it will not be tolerated both by the Council or the police. In this case there was an added concern about the school being so close.
“It’s a warning to any other businesses and I’d encourage any residents, who have similar concerns about local shops they suspect may be selling illegal vapes and tobacco and also selling to people under age, to contact us.”
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law.
“Having removed 46 million illegal cigarettes, 12,600kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, Operation CeCe – the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”
Visit https://tinyurl.com/yc4ufzr3 to anonymously report similar activity to Coventry Trading Standards.
