Shop temporarily closed after selling illegal vapes

The two-month closure order followed three discoveries of illegal vapes

A shop has been ordered to close for two months after it was found stocking illegal vapes for a third time.

Officers from Durham County Council found more than 1,500 of the vapes, worth in excess of £16,000, at Easi-Vape in Bishop Auckland.

Vapes must be registered and the tank sizes limited to 2ml under regulations.

Gary Carr, the council’s strategic regulation manager, said he hoped the closure order would "serve as a warning to any shops tempted to trade in illegal products".

Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard that the owner of the Newgate Street shop had been given advice in October 2021, when council officers were sold a product which did not comply with regulations during a test purchase.

In an inspection of the shop in June 2023, 871 non-compliant vapes were seized and found to be worth about £8,700.

The owner was issued a warning and given further guidance.

'Deeply ashamed'

In January this year, the council seized a further 746 vapes, worth about £7,500, along with an associated vehicle.

The council then consulted with the public, retailers and a local school, who all supported a potential closure order.

The shop owner apologised in an email response to the consultation, adding that he was deeply ashamed of his actions and was an honest person who made mistakes.

After an application from the council, magistrates imposed a closure order for two months.