Highlights
- Royston Vape and Shop closed for selling illegal vapes, tobacco, and cannabis.
- Concerns over underage sales and unlicensed workers prompted action.
- Criminal probe launched after breach of closure order.
Royston Vape and Shop in Royston has been shut down after repeatedly selling illegal and counterfeit cigarettes, cannabis and disposable vapes.
The shop was ordered to close for three months following a hearing at Stevenage Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (July 23).
The closure order was secured by North Herts Council working in partnership with the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) and Hertfordshire Trading Standards on Tuesday 22 July. Upon inspection, officers found large quantities of counterfeit tobacco and non-compliant vaping products.
A total of 5,360 cigarettes, 0.85kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and 176 disposable vapes were seized, with a street value estimated at between £2,940 and £4,200. In addition, there were two separate seizures of Class B drugs contained within the vapes, with a street value estimated at between £2940 and £5880.
There was also evidence of underage sales and the employment of people with no legal right to work in the UK.
The closure order makes it a criminal offence to enter the premises for the next three months. However, just two hours after the order was enforced, CCTV surveillance captured two individuals exiting the shop. The police were notified, and a criminal investigation into the breach is now underway.
The enforcement action follows a thorough, coordinated investigation by the three agencies, aimed at tackling the sale of unsafe and illegal goods in our communities and protecting the public.
There have been mounting concerns from local residents and secondary schools, who have reported an increase in underage vaping directly linked to the shop. Headteachers from North Herts secondary schools wrote to the council to raise concerns about the worrying rise in vaping among some students and have welcomed action to protect young people and reduce harmful influences in the area.
Councillor Mick Debenham, Executive Member for Regulatory, said, “This is a brilliant example of agencies working together to protect our communities. I want to thank officers at North Herts Council, SAFS, and Trading Standards for their vital work in bringing this case to court.
"Their efforts have not only shut down a business that was putting children at risk, but also sent a strong message that illegal activity won’t be tolerated in North Herts.
“Shops like this harm our young people, damage legitimate businesses, and erode community trust. I’m proud of the work we’re doing to stand up for the safety and wellbeing of our residents.”