One shop in Bletchley and another in New Bradwell have been forced to close for three months after a Milton Keynes City Council investigation revealed they were selling illegal tobacco and vapes.
City Council colleagues had previously seized illegal goods from both the European Grocery store in Bletchley and Thaswin Off Licence in New Bradwell. The businesses ignored the previous warnings and continued to sell illegal tobacco and vapes. The city council’s trading standards department issued temporary closure notices last week of 48 hours and applied for a longer-term Closure Order from Milton Keynes Magistrates Court.
The Court accepted the evidence submitted by the city council and granted Closure Orders under the Anti-social, Crime and Policing Act 2014, effectively shutting the businesses for three months. The Order prevents access to the premises to ensure the businesses do not continue to trade during this period.
The sale of illegal vapes and tobacco and can be reported anonymously on the city council’s website.
Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Councillor Mick Legg said, “Illegal tobacco and vapes can be highly addictive and dangerous – these products should not be being sold. Businesses who continue to sell these goods undermine all the efforts being made to highlight the dangers of smoking and vaping while putting people’s health at serious risk. I hope this Closure Order sends a clear message that we’re not taking this matter lightly and will continue to investigate and take action where necessary.”
