Trading Standards close two shops after persistent illegal seizures

Two premises with a long history of selling illegal tobacco, cigarettes and vapes have been issued with closure notices by Trading Standards.

Abbey Hulton Supermarket on Leek Road and Easy Shop on Weston Road in Meir both have history of supplying illegal products and have been subject to enforcement action multiple times.

Since 2021, Abbey Hulton Supermarket has had 17 test purchases of illegal cigarettes and vapes and five seizures, totalling £28,164 in retail value.

Easy Shop has had 42 interventions by Trading Standards since 2019 and in 2025 alone, illegal products worth £11,309 have been seized.

This work forms part of Operation Cece – a national operation with HMRC and National Trading Standards to tackle illegal tobacco.

Councillor Amjid Wazir OBE, cabinet member for city pride, enforcement and sustainability at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “We will not tolerate the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes, and I welcome these closures of two persistent offenders.

“Our Trading Standards teams work hard to remove illegal tobacco and vapes off the streets to keep everybody safe and make sure legal businesses are not being undermined.

“This work is part of the council’s commitment to creating a cleaner, greener and safer city for all and you will face serious consequences if you choose to sell illegal products.”

Anyone with concerns about illegal tobacco, vapes and underage sales can contact Trading Standards on the hotline at 01782 238884 or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards