Seven shops closed over illegal vapes

Seven shops in Lincoln's High Street and Portland Street have been given closure orders for three months

Seven vape shops in Lincoln have been issued closure orders after they were found selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.

The orders will last for three months, meaning the traders cannot sell from the premises during this time, with each shop having signs stating they are no longer open.

Lincolnshire Trading Standards and Lincolnshire Police seized the goods from the premises after evidence was gathered over a six-month period.

Lincoln Magistrates' Court issued the three-month closure orders on 26 and 27 June under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

During the three-month period, no one should be in the shops other than the landlord, and only for maintenance purposes or if emergency services are required.

The order could be extended and lead to arrests, imprisonments or fines if anyone else is at the premises during this time.

'Blight' on town

The Lincoln shops that have been handed the closure orders are:

• Mr Chippy, 137 High Street

• High Street Vapes, 390 High Street

• Top Mini Market, 380 High Street

• Universal Vapes, 373 High Street

• Vape Centre, 374 High Street

• Portland Vapes, 11 Portland Street

• Kikush, 371 High Street

Andy Wright, the principal trading standards officer, said: "These are not shops that sell a few cigarettes or vapes ‘on the side’. Instead, they exist solely to supply illegal goods."

He added: "We will continue to work with our partners in the police to remove this blight from our town centres."

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