Vape shop shut over illegal sales now youth centre

A vape and cigarette shop shut down over illegal sales is being turned into a youth centre

A shop ordered to close after it was caught selling illegal vapes has been given a new lease of life.

Sun Market in Attleborough’s Exchange Street will now become a youth centre.

It was shut down earlier this year after Norfolk Police seized thousands of illegal products including illicit cigarettes and vapes, which the business was also found to be selling to children.

Breckland Council has agreed to fund the rent of the premises for three years to allow the town council to launch the youth centre, including dedicated support for children with special educational needs (SEND), the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Police and trading standards seized illegal products like these from the former shop

Taila Taylor, a member of both councils and mayor of Attleborough, said: "Attleborough has had a deficit of youth provision for many years, and hopefully this new facility will go a long way in filling that gap.

"The Send offer will also be a much needed provision, and will help many local families, supporting both children and parents."

Norfolk Police and Norfolk Trading Standards carried out five visits to Sun Market over a two-year period during which thousands of illegal products were seized.

Following a court hearing in May, Norwich Magistrates’ Court issued a closure notice forcing the shop to shut for the following three months.

The premises has since been vacated and Attleborough Town Council has agreed to furnish the building and fund the remaining costs of the project.

The authority is working alongside youth groups in the town to ensure the new centre is fully utilised and has encouraged them to get involved.