A Lancaster city centre store has been ordered to close after it was found to be selling illicit tobacco.
Easy Shop on King Street, Lancaster must close for three months, after visits by Lancaster Police and Lancashire County Council’s Trading Standards uncovered ongoing illicit tobacco sales at the premises.
At Lancaster Magistrates’ Court this week, a judge passed a Closure Order under Section 80 of the Anti-social, Crime and Policing Act 2014 for a period of three months. Under UK law, initial premises closure orders are capped at three months.
If anyone is seen entering the premises without reasonable excuse before the store can legally open again in December, they will be committing a criminal offence and can face a fine and/or imprisonment.
PC Pete Burns, Lancaster Police’s Civils Order Officer said: “I am pleased to see the court impose the maximum initial closure order on this premises, after joint working between the police and Trading Standards uncovered illegal practises taking place within the store.
“Trading of this nature is not and will never be tolerated in Lancaster and we will continue to work with partners to take firm action.
“I would ask residents of Lancaster to keep reporting concerns to us or Trading Standards. Your concerns are heard and we do take them incredibly seriously.”
Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, said: "We welcome the court’s decision to grant the maximum Closure Order available to it against Easy Shop.
“This sends a clear message that illegal tobacco trading will not be tolerated in Lancashire. Illegal tobacco is not simply a source of cheaper cigarettes.
‘’Consumers do not have the same assurances about what they are buying, how it has been manufactured or what substances it may contain, and it can pose a serious risk to people’s health.
“This outcome also highlights the importance of effective partnership working in tackling the organised criminality often associated with the illicit tobacco trade. We will continue to take robust action against those who put profit before the safety and wellbeing of our residents."
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