A convenience store in Cumbria has been ordered to close for three months after authorities uncovered repeated sales of illegal tobacco and vapes, including products hidden inside the premises.
European Mini Market in Market Square, Kirkby Stephen, was issued with a three-month closure order by Carlisle Magistrates' Court on 24 June following a joint investigation by Westmorland and Furness Trading Standards and the Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team.
The order was secured under anti-social behaviour legislation after Westmorland and Furness Council identified persistent sales of illicit tobacco and vaping products from the store.
The court heard that the business had been subject to multiple enforcement visits since it began trading in April 2025. During those inspections, Trading Standards officers seized 23,031 illicit cigarettes, 19.05kg of hand-rolling tobacco and 455 illegal vapes.
During the third enforcement visit, officers deployed a tobacco detection dog, which located illegal tobacco concealed within the staircase leading to the first floor of the premises. A further inspection in February this year uncovered cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco hidden inside the base of a chair.
Given the scale and repeated nature of the offences, the council's Trading Standards team applied for a closure order to prevent further illegal activity.
Councillor John Murray, Westmorland and Furness Council's cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, said the action demonstrated the authority's commitment to tackling the illicit trade.
"This closure demonstrates our firm commitment to tackling the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes and protecting our communities from the harm they cause," he said.
"Businesses that choose to operate outside the law, particularly those persistently selling illicit goods, will face robust enforcement action. These products undermine legitimate traders, evade taxes and can pose serious risks to public health. We will continue to work closely with our partners in Cumbria Police to identify and take action against those responsible."
Eden Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector Mo Bibby said the closure followed months of joint working between police and Trading Standards.
"We are aware this business has caused substantial concerns within the community, and we're pleased the courts have granted the order to put a halt to their activity," Bibby said.
"Premises which promote the sale of illicit goods show a clear disregard for the law, the local authority and the safety of the public by selling unregulated products. We're committed to working with our partners, including Trading Standards, to take action wherever they are being sold and these efforts will not stop."
The latest enforcement action is part of continued efforts by Trading Standards and police forces across the UK to disrupt the illicit tobacco and vape market, which authorities say undermines legitimate retailers, deprives the Treasury of tax revenue and exposes consumers to unregulated products.