Chester shop selling illegal vapes shut down
It must stay closed for three months
Chester Local Store in Boughton (Image: Cheshire West and Chester Council)
A shop in Chester has been shut down for three months after it was found to be selling illegal vapes and tobacco products. Chester Local Store in Boughton has been closed down by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
It's the fifth premises to be closed by the local authority in recent months. Chester Magistrates Court granted a closure order until May 5. The council say information relating to previous seizures and covert test purchases was presented in court to show the persistent sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes.
The Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, Councillor Stuart Bingham said: "The supply of illegal tobacco continues to blight our communities. Although people may like the idea of cheap cigarettes and vapes, the risk to health are simply not worth the risk.
"These businesses are putting our communities at risk. They are exploiting our residents for personal gain and are often selling to children. The council will do everything in its power to find these businesses and close them down. If you have information about a business that is selling illegal products or selling to children, please get in touch with Trading Standards and we will follow it up."
Last week, trading standards officers joined Cheshire Police visiting seven businesses across the borough as part of Operation Crossbow. Illegal products including 21,060 cigarettes, 5.6kg tobacco and 122 vapes were seized. It was following this operation that the closure notice was served on Chester Local Store.