Two Stoke-on-Trent premises have been ordered to close for three months after Trading Standards seized illegal tobacco, vapes and shisha worth nearly £24,000.
Two premises have been issued with closure notices by the city council’s trading standards team.
UK Mini Market in Hanley saw seven test purchases of counterfeit cigarettes made between July 2025 and July 2026. This led to 160 packets of illegal cigarettes, 16 pouches of illegal hand rolling tobacco and 52 pots of illegal shisha being seized, which were all hidden in a roof cavity on the premises.
Moorland Vapes had an inspection in May 2026, which seized 71 packs of illegal cigarettes and 1,140 non-complaint vapes. Despite warnings following this action, a test purchase of counterfeit cigarettes was subsequently made.
The retail value across both premises totalled nearly £24,000, with nearly £20,000 at Moorland Vapes.
Both premises have been ordered to close for three months.
Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said:
“We will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes and I welcome these closures.
“This work is part of our wider commitment to keep streets safe and create a cleaner city where legitimate business is not undermined. You will face consequences if you choose to sell illegal products.”
Anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes and underage sales can contact Trading Standards on the hotline at 01782 238884 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards
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