The closures target businesses selling illegal tobacco and vapes, which undermine legitimate traders and pose risks to residents. The latest three closures followed joint enforcement action by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team.
The premises affected are Arvest at 41 Ironmarket (closed for six weeks), Shelby Vape Ltd at 110 High Street (closed for three months), and American Candy (UK Mini Market) at 43 Bridge Street (closed for three months). Magistrates granted these closure orders on Wednesday, 4 November, following inspections on 12 October.
During the inspections, officers seized over 14,000 illegal cigarettes, 5.5kg of hand-rolling tobacco, and nine illegal vapes. A sophisticated concealment system, including a movable wall, was discovered at one location hiding illegal tobacco. Previous inspections had also uncovered illegal products, leading to warnings being issued.
These recent closures follow the earlier shutdowns of Simba’s Shop and Cobra Vape Shop this summer, bringing the total to five shops closed since July. Operation Shutter will continue targeted enforcement with Trading Standards and other partners to identify rogue traders and disrupt illegal activities.
“"Let me be absolutely clear: if you are selling illegal tobacco, flogging illicit vapes or using our high streets for unlawful activity, you are not welcome in our Borough. We will come after you, shut you down and use every legal power at our disposal to run you out of town."
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis stated that most local shopkeepers are honest, hardworking individuals and questioned why they should compete with illegal operators. He added that the discovery of illegal tobacco behind a movable wall highlights the lengths some operators go to conceal their activities, but they cannot hide from the law.
The closures are linked to a motion proposed by Cllr. Gullis on 30 September, which called for stronger government powers to permanently close premises associated with criminal activity. The Council’s “Closed for Good” campaign also seeks greater accountability for landlords who repeatedly rent to rogue operators. Currently, closure orders can last up to three months, with a possible extension.
“"There is something fundamentally wrong with a system where a shop can be closed for breaking the law, only for operators to wait a few months, change the name above the door and potentially start all over again. We want magistrates to have the power to shut the worst offenders permanently and landlords held accountable where they repeatedly allow illegal activity."
Cllr. Vanessa Renshaw, Cabinet member for Housing and Public Protection, described the closures as a victory for law-abiding residents and legitimate businesses, expressing concern over the volume of illegal products found and the risks they pose. She affirmed that Operation Shutter will continue to identify offending premises and take decisive action.
Anthony Screen, Cabinet member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, highlighted the effective partnership approach in tackling economic crime. He stated that working across local government, Trading Standards, policing, and enforcement agencies combines strategic direction with operational delivery to target those undermining communities and businesses.
Screen added that the results are a testament to the commitment and teamwork involved, and that investment in these partnerships will continue to develop intelligence-led capabilities and take action against illicit trade. The message is clear: economic crime has no place in Staffordshire.
