Coventry store issued issued with closure order over illicit vapes

A store in Coventry has been ordered to close its doors for six weeks after a Council investigation revealed “persistent sale” of illegal tobacco and vaping products.

La Mirage on Earlsdon Street, Coventry, was issued with a six-week closure order, which is additional to the two weeks in which the shop had already been closed following the service of a closure notice. It will be closed until 13 January 2025 and no-one is allowed to access or remain on the premises. Those found to breach the Order may be imprisoned, fined or both.

The Council’s Trading Standards and Legal teams applied to the Court for the order, which was granted on 3 December 2024. Costs of over £4,800 were awarded to the Council, against both the Landlords of the premises, as well as the current and previous operators of the business.

Officers from Coventry Trading Standards told Coventry Magistrates Court that despite warnings and changes of ownership, the premises continued in the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products. The products were found not to be compliant with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and other legislation.

Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Policing at the Council, said: “Our trading standards, legal and other services work closely with the Police and other partners to tackle illegal trading. This is important work, because ultimately consumers are at risk, and these type of illegal sales have a knock-on effect on legitimate businesses.

“I hope local people feel able to provide information about illegal traders and retailers where they feel there is potential criminal acts being carried out. Any information we receive will be followed up on.”

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The trade in illegal tobacco harms local communities and affects honest businesses operating within the law. Having removed 46 million illegal cigarettes, 12,600kg of hand rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products from sale, Operation CeCe – the National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HMRC – continues to successfully disrupt this illicit trade.”