Store closed down for selling bogus tobacco products

H Local Store operated on Market Street, Hyde

A shop that was found to be selling illegal tobacco products has been closed down.

H Local Store on Market Street in Hyde, Greater Manchester, was handed a three-month closure order by Tameside Council on Friday.

The shop was found to have sold illicit cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco and e-cigarettes.

Since 2020, the council's trading standards team has seized 26,860 illegal cigarettes, 7.45kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco and 284 illegal e-cigarettes from the shop, the local authority said.

'A great result'

Councillor Laura Boyle, executive member for the environmental services and neighbourhoods said the closure was "a great result".

"It will prevent this business from continuing to break the law and having a negative impact on the local community," she said.

"Trade in illicit tobacco supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

"Public protection is a priority for us and our officers will always take enforcement action where necessary to help keep our local communities safe as well as to support local businesses that comply with the law."