Blackpool shop that sold illegal vapes to children closed by council

Corner Bargains on Caunce Street, Blackpool, as handed a council closure order

A shop that sold vapes and cigarettes to children has been ordered to close for two months.

Corner Bargains on Caunce Street, Blackpool, was issued with a council closure order following a joint investigation with the police.

Officers made repeated visits and found a raft of issues including anti-social behaviour.

Insp Jon Campbell-Smith, of Lancashire Police, said: "This behaviour will not be tolerated."

Councillor Paula Burdess, cabinet member with responsibility for community safety, said: "This shop was having an impact on the local community as a result of the illegal activity and anti-social behaviour that was taking place both inside and outside the property.

"Closing a business for two months is not a decision that we take lightly but in this case, it was absolutely needed."

Operation Centurion is a Lancashire-wide police crackdown on anti-social behaviour launched in summer 2023.

Cigarettes were being sold to children. the council said

The Brunswick ward of Blackpool was identified as a hotspot to be targeted with extra policing and funding.

In addition to the enforced closure, the shop also had to agree to various conditions on a Community Protection Warning.

These include implementing a Challenge 25 policy for age-restricted products, staff training, a new register of employees' details, improved record-keeping and ensuring no illicit products are sold from the premises.

Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden said: "Anti-social behaviour is a blight on our communities and a priority in my Fighting Crime Plan, as it's an issue that residents raise with me time and time again.

"This type of enforcement, alongside the additional policing hours being seen in hotspot areas, is having a positive impact."