MAGISTRATES have ordered, on Thursday, 26 October, an Eston shop and the flat above to be closed for three months, for storing and selling illicit tobacco and illegal vapes to customers.
The premises at 168 High Street, Eston, trading as Eston Daily, has been closed under crime and anti-social behaviour laws.
At the hearing, Magistrates were made aware that inspections by Trading Standards took place at the premises in November 2022 during which counterfeit cigarettes and non-compliant vapes were seized
The premises continued to be a concern to the Council after complaints were received about the sale of cheap, illicit cigarettes and the sale of illegal vapes. Allegations were received that these products were also being sold to children.
Other criminal activities alleged to be taking place at the premises were referred to Cleveland Police.
During joint enforcement action with another agency in August 2023, illicit tobacco and illegal vapes were found concealed under the floor of a cupboard in the flat above the shop. Illicit cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco were also discovered in the shop.
Magistrates were informed that the business operator had been in control of the premises since the inspections first took place in November 2022 and despite receiving advice on complying with the law relating to age restricted sales and a formal warning concerning the sale of counterfeit cigarettes, criminal activities were still taking place at the premises.
Magistrates ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the illegal goods seized by Trading Standards.
Cabinet Member for Health, Welfare and Housing, Cllr Ursula Earl, said: “These kind of criminal activities will never be tolerated, as they not only impact honest businesses, but they put the health and safety of children at risk while they follow their interest without regards to the law or people’s wellbeing. I would like to thank our Trading Standards officers and Cleveland Police for their efforts in securing the Closure Order.”
Chief Inspector Jon Hagen from Redcar and Cleveland Neighbourhood Policing Team at Cleveland Police, said: “We will continue to work with our local authority partners to tackle and deal with those who do not abide by the law and cause misery within our local communities.”