An Ilfracombe shop has been ordered to close for three months following an investigation into the sale of illegal tobacco.

City Market, 31 High Street, Ilfracombe, was given a three-month closure order at Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 27 October.

Heart of the South West Trading Standards had received intelligence about the sale of counterfeit products from the premises and carried out test purchases to investigate.

Trading Standards officers attended the shop with Devon and Cornwall Police in May. During the visit, officers confirmed that bank notes used to buy ten packets of 20 counterfeit cigarettes during a test purchase were present in the shop’s cash register.

The evidence gathered was presented to Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court, which granted the closure order. No one representing the business attended court.

PC Hyde – Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Ilfracombe & Braunton Police said:

“I welcome the Court’s decision to grant a Closure Order for City Market. This is a positive outcome for the local community and a proportionate response to ongoing concerns regarding the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products. The Order will help prevent further unlawful trading, protect the public from associated health risks, and disrupt criminal activity that has had a detrimental impact on our community.”

Trading Standards Operations Manager Alex Fry said:

“Combatting the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes is a high priority for us. These products are often sold more cheaply and those selling them are unlikely to care who they sell them to, making them more accessible to children.

“By stopping the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes, we are helping to protect our communities as well as businesses that trade legally.”