An Ilfracombe shop has been ordered to close for three months following the sale of illegal tobacco, becoming the second premises in the town to be closed for illegal tobacco offences in just two weeks.
Ilfracombe Mini Market, 10 High Street, Ilfracombe, was given a three-month closure order at Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 10 November.
The premises had previously been subject to a three-month closure order earlier this year and had only reopened around two weeks ago.
Its reopening coincided with the closure of nearby City Market, 31 High Street, which was ordered to close for three months on Tuesday 27 October following a Heart of the South West Trading Standards investigation into the sale of illegal tobacco.
Following the reopening of Ilfracombe Mini Market, Trading Standards carried out a test purchase which confirmed illegal tobacco products were once again being sold from the premises.
Working in partnership with Devon and Cornwall Police, Trading Standards sought a further closure order.
On Sunday 8 November, Trading Standards officers and Police attended the premises to serve a 48-hour closure notice. During an inspection, illegal tobacco products with an estimated value of approximately £1,000 were discovered stored on the floor behind the sales counter.
Sergeant Ash Steer, Devon and Cornwall Police Neighbourhood Team Leader for Ilfracombe, said:
“This closure demonstrates our ongoing pursuit of those disrupting our community. Working with Trading Standards, we’ve shut down another hub for illegal trade in just a fortnight.
“We will not tolerate illegal activity in Ilfracombe and are committed to working with our partners to stamp out ongoing criminality and anti-social behaviour in the area.”
Alex Fry, Heart of the South West Trading Standards Head of Intelligence and Investigations, said:
“This is the second closure order secured in Ilfracombe in just two weeks and sends a clear message that we will continue to take action against businesses selling illegal tobacco.
“It is particularly concerning that illegal tobacco was again being sold from this premises so soon after it reopened following an earlier closure.
“Working with Devon and Cornwall Police, we will continue to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco and protect our communities, as well as the legitimate businesses that trade within the law.”