Barrow Vape Shop Ordered To Close For Three Months After Illegal Sales To Children
A Barrow vape shop has been ordered to close for three months after repeatedly selling illegal tobacco products to children.
King Vape Shop, on Dalton Road, was handed the closure order at Barrow Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 7, following enforcement action over persistent unlawful trading. The case followed joint operations involving Westmorland and Furness Council’s Trading Standards service and Cumbria Police.
The court heard that the business had been subject to multiple enforcement visits since it opened in January 2025. During those visits, the shop was found to have sold tobacco products to people under the age of 18 on three separate occasions.
Trading Standards officers also seized a substantial quantity of products during repeated inspections at the premises. The seizures included 485 non-compliant disposable vapes, 939 packets of cigarettes and 64 packets of hand-rolling tobacco.
Despite earlier warnings and the seizure of products during enforcement visits, the unlawful trading was found to have continued. The subsequent court action resulted in an order requiring the premises to remain closed for a period of three months.
The closure order prevents anyone from entering the premises during that three-month period unless they have been authorised by the court. The measure was secured following continued concerns about unlawful sales and the availability of restricted products.
Councillor John Murray, Westmorland and Furness Council’s cabinet member for climate, biodiversity and regulatory services, said the sale of illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes undermines legitimate businesses and can put consumers at risk.
He also said such trading could make restricted products more accessible to children, adding that the council welcomed the court’s decision. He said the order should send a clear message that unlawful trading would not be tolerated within local communities.
Councillor Murray said Trading Standards would continue working closely with partner agencies to take robust enforcement action against traders involved in selling illicit tobacco, illegal vapes or other age-restricted products to children.
He added that the council remained committed to protecting consumers, supporting legitimate businesses and helping to keep communities safe through enforcement work against unlawful trading.
Barrow Neighbourhood Policing Inspector Damien Mottram said the closure order demonstrated the commitment of police to tackling businesses that operate unlawfully and cause harm within local communities.
Inspector Mottram said the sale of illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products could undermine legitimate local businesses and pose potential risks to public health. He also said such activity could be linked to wider criminality.
He said police had worked closely with partner agencies to take positive action in response to concerns and protect local residents. The closure order followed that joint approach to addressing unlawful trading at the Barrow premises.
Police said the action should send a clear message that businesses involved in illegal trading would continue to be targeted. Officers said joint enforcement work would remain focused on protecting communities and keeping residents safe.
Residents have also been encouraged to report the sale of illegal tobacco or suspected underage sales to Trading Standards. Reports can be made to Trading Standards on 0808 223 1133.
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