Two vape shops in Lancaster city centre have been ordered to shut after they failed multiple Trading Standards inspections.
Lancaster Police served closure orders to One Stop Mini Market on Church Street and Euro Shop on Cheapside on Tuesday after multiple Trading Standards test purchasing operations at the stores discovered that both were found to be selling illegal tobacco.
Euro Shop failed five Trading Standards inspections, where illicit goods were seized.
They also failed a number of test purchasing operations, selling illicit cigarettes to adult test purchasers and vapes to underage test purchasers.
One Stop failed seven out of a total eight inspections and three test purchasing operations, selling illicit cigarettes to adults on two occasions and to a child on one occasion.
One Stop Convenience Store on Church Street
Both closure orders were passed on Tuesday by Preston Magistrates Court under section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 prohibiting anyone from entering either store until November 2026.
"These closure orders are the result of dedicated targeting by Lancaster Police and Lancashire Trading Standards to tackle businesses that put profit before the safety and wellbeing of our communities," said Pete Burns, Lancaster Police’s Civil Orders Officer.
"Following test purchase operations which identified the trade of illegal tobacco, we successfully applied for the closure orders to protect local people from further harm.
“The closures send a clear message to other retailers across Lancaster and Morecambe that the trade in illegal tobacco will not be tolerated.
"We will continue to take robust action against anyone who breaks the law, particularly where vulnerable young people are being targeted, and we will not hesitate to pursue similar measures where necessary."
Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, said: "These closure orders send a clear message that illegal traders will not be tolerated in Lancashire.
"Working closely with Lancashire Constabulary, our Trading Standards officers will continue to target businesses involved in the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products and take robust enforcement action where necessary.
"Illegal tobacco and vape sales are often just one part of a much wider pattern of offending. By targeting these activities, we are helping to disrupt criminal networks, improve community safety and ensure legitimate businesses are not placed at a disadvantage.
"Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vaping products can report it to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133."
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