Shop selling illegal vapes and cigarettes closed

The Corner Shop in Picton Road was ordered to close after several breaches

A shop which repeatedly sold illegal cigarettes and vapes has been shut down.

The Corner Shop on Liverpool's Picton Road was ordered to close for three months after several breaches over the last 18 months.

Liverpool City Council's Public Protection Team carried out undercover operations to find untaxed tobacco products and banned single-use vapes were being sold, and at one point found a stash of contraband cigarettes in the owner's car boot.

At Liverpool Magistrates' Court on 18 September, the shop was ordered to close and the owner ordered to pay £3,726 in costs.

The court heard ownership of the shop had changed during the course of the investigations, but illegal activity continued, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

At one point, ID checks revealed that a man working in the shop had no legal right to work in the UK, Liverpool City Council said.

Liverpool City councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, cabinet member for communities, neighbourhoods, said: "This persistent disregard for the law is completely unacceptable.

"Repeated warnings were ignored and when businesses continue to put profit before public safety, we will take firm action to protect residents.

"This closure sends a clear message: we will not tolerate businesses who flout the rules."