Three shops closed for selling illegal tobacco, vapes and age-restricted products to children

Three shops in Ellesmere Port have been ordered to close for three months following action by Cheshire West and Chester Council after repeatedly selling illegal tobacco, illegal vapes and age-restricted products to children.

The closure orders relate to:

• Stop and Shop, Unit 3, 406 Chester Road, Little Sutton
• Vaporesso, 46 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port
• Quick Stop, 17 Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port

The orders follow enforcement activity at four premises in Ellesmere Port last week, working with partners from Cheshire Police Western Exploitation team.  Officers seized nearly 20,000 cigarettes, more than 1.5kg of tobacco and more than 100 vapes.

During the operation, officers uncovered sophisticated concealment methods designed to hide illegal goods. Several hidden compartments were found using a specialist tobacco detection dog.

The closure orders were granted following an application by Cheshire West and Chester Council's Trading Standards and Legal Services teams.

Councillor Stuart Bingham, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhood Pride, said:

"Businesses that repeatedly sell illegal tobacco, illegal vapes and age-restricted products to children put our communities at risk and undermine responsible traders.

"Illegal tobacco and vapes are often linked to wider criminality and can be sold without the safety checks and standards expected of legitimate products.

"These closure orders send a clear message that this type of activity will not be tolerated in Cheshire West and Chester. We will continue to take robust action to protect residents, particularly young people, from harm."

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco, illicit vapes or other age-restricted products can report concerns through the Citizens Advice consumer service on:

0808 223 1133