Eight convenience stores across Cheshire have been ordered to close for three months as part of a coordinated crackdown on anti-social behaviour and the sale of illicit tobacco and vape products.
The closure orders were secured between 29 June and 3 July following joint operations involving Cheshire Police, local Trading Standards teams and, in some cases, Immigration officers.
In Crewe and Nantwich, four stores were shut after evidence emerged of anti-social behaviour and repeated failures to comply with age-restriction laws for the sale of age-restricted products.
The affected stores are:
- Top Gee, Nantwich Road, Crewe
- Bob Shop, Nantwich Road, Crewe
- Liam Grocery Store, Nantwich Road, Crewe
- Friendly Mart, High Street, Nantwich
The three-month closure orders were granted following an investigation by Cheshire Police's Eastern Problem Solving Team, supported by the Crewe Beat Team and Cheshire East Trading Standards.
In Warrington, three more shops have also been ordered to close for three months after repeated failures during joint compliance visits by police, Trading Standards and Immigration officers.
The affected premises are:
- Mr Blue, Sankey Street
- Stop and Shop, Sankey Street
- Mini Shop, Buttermarket Street
Authorities said the businesses had become focal points for anti-social behaviour in the town centre. During enforcement activity, officers also seized large quantities of illicit cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco and illegal vape products.
Meanwhile, in Macclesfield, Macclesfield Mini Mart on Mill Street has also been closed for three months.
The closure followed a joint operation involving Cheshire Police's Eastern Protecting Vulnerable People (PVP) Exploitation Team, Macclesfield South Beat Team and Cheshire East Trading Standards.
Chief Superintendent Saf Ali, Cheshire Police, said: “This is a great example of the action we will take on retailers who repeatedly offend, and I hope this sends a clear message that illegal tobacco and vape products have no place in Cheshire’s shops.
“Working alongside our partners, we gathered evidence against these premises and the closure orders are now in place for three months after being granted by the courts.
“We will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour and the supply of illicit products to keep residents across Cheshire safe.”
Councillor Dawn Clark, Cheshire East Council Cabinet Member for Finance, Legal and Enforcement, said:
“These raids and closure orders send out a clear message that we are an enforcing council and we will continue to tackle head on the scourge of illicit tobacco and vapes – as well as underage tobacco sales – working effectively with our partners. Anti-social and unlawful outlets in Cheshire East should know that we will not stand by and watch while they act illegally.
“The sale of Illicit tobacco and vapes has proven links to organised crime and the sale of these products is known to contribute to human trafficking and other criminality. Illicit tobacco also undermines efforts of our health teams and NHS partners to reduce the number of people smoking and encourages children to take up smoking, which negatively impacts their long-term health."
Councillor John Kerr-Brown, Warrington Borough Council Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Licensing, said:
“The sale of illicit tobacco and vape products puts people’s health at risk and makes these products more accessible to children and young people.
“Working closely with Cheshire Police, Trading Standards and other partner agencies, we are committed to making Warrington town centre a safe and welcoming place for residents, visitors and businesses.
"We will continue to take robust action against those who break the law and contribute to anti-social behaviour in our borough.”