An East Midlands shop has been closed down for a series of tobacco and vape offences – including serving school children.
Derby City Council said its Trading Standards team closed the Spondon Local shop – also known as Spondon Mini Market –after saying it was in a dangerous condition, selling illicit tobacco products and also selling vapes to local school children.
During a hearing at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court, District Judge Johnathan Taaffe granted the full three-month closure order of the premises, during which no one will be able to enter the shop without permission from the court.
During the period of the closure order, anyone found in the premises, on the junction of Chapel Street and Sitwell Street, could face up to 51 weeks in prison, a fine or both.
The council said the shop was visited several times in recent months by officers from trading standards and Derbyshire Police who said they found illegally imported and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco behind the till and concealed around the premises.
They said the shop was also found to be selling vapes that do not comply with UK laws and said complaints had been made about vapes being sold to pupils of nearby a nearby school.
They also said officers found unsafe wiring in the shop – with bare wires had been pushed into a plug socket which was powering a heater, electric oven and the lighting.
On top of that they said several people working in the shop were found to be working without permission to work in the UK.
Scott McGregor, the head teacher of nearby West Park School, said: “We have been concerned about Spondon Local for a number of months as different members of our community have reported that they have been selling vapes and other products to our pupils.
“I have attended the shop on a number of occasions to express our concerns and to detail the impact that vaping can have on our children.
“Unfortunately there was no desire to do the right thing and to change practice.
“After liaising with West Park families, local councillors and the local policing team, I am absolutely delighted that Spondon Local has been closed down.
“This really does emphasise the impact that positive community action can have.”
