Teesside C-sore closed over illicit tobacco trade

A convenience store in Teesside, which sold illicit tobacco, has been ordered to close after being given multiple warning. 

According to local reports, Redcar Mini Mart, which trades out of Pearl House on Redcar High Street, had received multiple formal warnings from Redcar and Cleveland Council’s trading standards team to stop selling counterfeit tobacco products. 

However, action has now been taken after the store continued to sell and supply illicit cigarettes. 

Teesside Magistrates’ Court approved a three-month closure order this week, with the potential of it being extended a further three months, if necessary. 

This action part of Operation CeCe, a National Trading Standards initiative, in partnership with HMRC, aiming to tackle the supply and trade of illicit tobacco and cigarettes. The application was supported by Cleveland Police, which assisted the council’s trading standards officers in their visits to the shop during the investigation. 

Inspector Neil Deluce, from Redcar and Cleveland Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “We were pleased to be able to support a successful Closure Order application led by Redcar and Cleveland Council. Wherever possible we will work together with the local authority to tackle illegal trading like this.” 

Cabinet Member for Health and Welfare, Cllr Steve Kay said, “The illegal tobacco trade doesn’t only harm honest local businesses and communities, but it also supports criminal organisations to continue to operate outside the law. It is a crime which will not be treated lightly in our borough. 

“Our Trading Standards Service will continue to work closely with our various partner agencies to continue to disrupt and remove the illicit tobacco trade from our towns and villages.”