Two Cumbrian Shops Closed After Illegal Tobacco And Vape Sales
Two Cumbrian shops have been ordered to close following court action linked to the sale of illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products.
A shop on Highgate in Kendal has received a fresh three-month closure order following enforcement investigations into the sale and concealment of illicit products. The order was granted by Barrow Magistrates’ Court after Trading Standards officers found tobacco and vaping products hidden inside purpose-built compartments at the premises. Investigations had been continuing at the shop since September 2025, resulting in the seizure of substantial quantities of prohibited goods.
Officers seized 1,222 packets of cigarettes during the investigations, together with 123 packets of hand-rolling tobacco. A further 716 vaping devices were also taken from the premises. The scale of the seizures formed part of the evidence presented during the court proceedings and contributed to the decision to impose another closure period.
The enforcement action in Kendal forms part of wider work by Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Police to tackle the distribution and sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products. Such operations are often intelligence-led, with information gathered about suspected activity helping authorities identify premises for further investigation.
A separate closure order has also been extended against European Mini Market on Market Square in Kirkby Stephen. Carlisle Magistrates’ Court ruled that the existing closure should remain in place until December 23, extending restrictions that were first imposed earlier in the year.
The Kirkby Stephen premises was initially closed in June after a court heard concerns about the impact of its trading practices on the local community. During those proceedings, it was reported that school-aged children were believed to have been purchasing vaping products from the shop.
The effects of the initial closure were also raised during the latest enforcement process. Westmorland and Furness Council said the headteacher of Kirkby Stephen Grammar School had reported a noticeable improvement in pupil behaviour after the premises was first shut.
The council said the latest court decisions demonstrate the role of enforcement measures in responding to concerns surrounding illegal tobacco, non-compliant vapes and their potential effects on local communities. The cases involve two separate premises but follow the same broader enforcement focus across the area.
Closure orders relating to anti-social behaviour are subject to a statutory limit. At present, the authority can request a maximum closure period of three months under the relevant legal provisions. The Government is considering whether this maximum period should be increased, with proposals under consideration that could allow closures lasting for up to 12 months.
The latest court proceedings followed intelligence-led operations carried out jointly by Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumbria Police. The partnership approach allows information gathered by different agencies to be used when assessing suspected illegal trading and determining whether further action is appropriate.
Councillor John Murray, cabinet member for transport and regulatory services, said the new court orders represented an important measure for protecting consumers and maintaining community safety. He said authorities would continue working with partner agencies and take enforcement action against businesses found selling illegal tobacco or vaping products that do not comply with the required standards.
He also highlighted the impact that illegal sales can have on legitimate businesses. Retailers operating within the rules are required to sell approved products and ensure the appropriate duties and taxes are paid, while illegal trading can create a different commercial environment for businesses that follow those requirements.
The council is encouraging residents who have concerns about the sale of illegal tobacco or suspected underage sales to report the information to Trading Standards. Reports can help authorities assess local concerns and determine whether further investigation or enforcement action is required.
The two cases underline the continued attention being given to illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products across Cumbria. With enforcement agencies continuing to gather intelligence and investigate suspected sales, businesses involved in unlawful trading face the possibility of further regulatory and court action.
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