Two Stoke-on-Trent shops ordered to shut for three months after £24,000 of illegal goods seized

UK Mini Market on Broad Street in Hanley and Moorland Vapes on Moorland Road in Burslem have both been hit with closure orders following enforcement action by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Trading Standards team.

The action comes after officers uncovered significant quantities of illegal products at both premises.

At UK Mini Market in Hanley, Trading Standards carried out seven test purchases of counterfeit cigarettes between July 2025 and July 2026.

The investigation resulted in the seizure of 160 packets of illegal cigarettes, 16 pouches of illegal hand-rolling tobacco and 52 pots of illegal shisha.

The products were reportedly being hidden inside a roof cavity at the premises.

Meanwhile, Moorland Vapes in Burslem was inspected in May 2026, when officers seized 71 packs of illegal cigarettes and 1,140 non-compliant vapes.

Despite warnings following that enforcement action, a subsequent test purchase of counterfeit cigarettes was made at the premises.

The council says the retail value of the goods seized from the two businesses was nearly £24,000, with almost £20,000 of that figure linked to Moorland Vapes.

Both businesses have now been ordered to close for three months.

The closures are part of ongoing action by Stoke-on-Trent City Council's Trading Standards team against the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products.

Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement, said the council would not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes.

He said the enforcement work was part of the council's wider efforts to keep streets safe and ensure legitimate businesses were not undermined.

The council is urging anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes or underage sales to report them to Trading Standards.

Important: the closure orders are for three months. They are not permanent closures.