A Swinton shop has served a closure order and will be shut for three months for selling illicit cigarettes and tobacco.
The Lavin Mini Shop in Station Road in Swinton was served a Closure Order by Salford City Council Trading Standards on (Friday 29 November) and will be shut for the next three months.
Since July 2018 the Salford City Council Trading Standards have seized illicit cigarettes and tobacco from the shop on nine separate occasions.
The multiple seizures has shown that the enforcement action was being ignored.
During this period Trading Standards have seized over 1,805 packets of cigarettes, with a street value of over £8,000, along with 252 packs of hand rolling tobacco and 34 vapes.
However, the closure order was made following 13 complaints from members of the public.
On the most recent visit in October 2024, Trading Standards officers found 241 packets of cigarettes and 39 HRT packages in two separate concealments on the premises, one under a hatch in the floor and the other under shelving on the shop floor.
The officers found the cigarettes and tobacco displayed on the shop floor were old and thick with dust.
During the visit it has been reported that officers secured both entry points to the premise, with multiple people attempting to enter the store.
While the officers were there at least 13 people attempted to gain entry to the shop, with some becoming hostile to the closure and shouting and swearing.
The officers even reported one customer, who could not gain entry at the front, punched the window then went around to the back of the property to try again to gain entry.
Following the seizure of the illicit cigarettes and tobacco, Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for neighbourhoods, environment and community safety, said: “We have carried out multiple inspections and seizures at this shop.
“Yet they have continued to sell illegal goods time and time again. This closure order sends a strong message that any premises who repeatedly ignore warnings will be prosecuted and a closure order will be served.”
Cllr Barbara Bentham continued: “I want to thank members of the public who have reported this criminality and brought it to our attention so that we can investigate and take action.
“We have a zero-tolerance approach to the sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco in Salford.”
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