Shop accused of illegal vape sales shut for three months

The action was taken after an earlier warning to the store's tenant, Coventry City Council said

A shop has been ordered to close for three months as a council said it was persistently selling illegal cigarettes and vapes.

Coventry City Council said it had taken action against Tile Hill Mini Market after an earlier warning to the tenant.

Other legitimate retailers had lost trade since the store opened and the sale of lower-priced illegal products could encourage children to smoke, it added.

The closure order was granted by magistrates on Monday.

'Lengthy investigation'

This was the second time a shop in the city had been ordered to shut for selling illegal cigarettes and was a first for vapes, said deputy council leader Abdul Salam Khan.

"This action has not been taken lightly and follows a lengthy investigation and a previous warning to the store tenant," he said.

Selling illegal cigarettes meant traders had not complied with UK labelling requirements and the low cost of the products showed duty and VAT had not been paid, said the council.

In relation to vapes, illegal ones often contained more nicotine than was allowed under tobacco rules, it added.

Under the closure order, Tile Hill Mini Market must shut completely for three months and nobody was allowed into, or to remain on, the premises.