Two Lancaster vape shops shut down for selling illegal tobacco and underage vapes

Two Lancaster city centre shops have been hit with court-issued closure orders until November 2026 after repeated Trading Standards failures involving illegal tobacco and underage vape sales.

Lancaster vape shops closed by court order after illegal tobacco and underage sales

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that two vape shops in Lancaster city centre were ordered to close on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, following a series of Trading Standards inspections and test purchasing operations that uncovered the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes to underage buyers.

Lancaster Police served Closure Orders on One Stop Mini Market on Church Street and Euro Shop on Cheapside. Preston Magistrates Court granted both orders under section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Neither premises may be entered until November 2026.

Euro Shop failed five Trading Standards inspections, during which illicit goods were seized. The store also failed multiple test purchasing operations, selling illicit cigarettes to adult test purchasers and vapes to underage test purchasers.

One Stop fared no better, failing seven of eight inspections and three separate test purchasing operations. Staff sold illicit cigarettes to adults on two occasions and to a child on one occasion.

Lancaster Police Civil Orders Officer Pete Burns said the closures were the result of coordinated targeting by Lancaster Police and Lancashire Trading Standards. "These closure orders are the result of dedicated targeting by Lancaster Police and Lancashire Trading Standards to tackle businesses that put profit before the safety and wellbeing of our communities," Burns said. "The closures send a clear message to other retailers across Lancaster and Morecambe that the trade in illegal tobacco will not be tolerated."

Burns added that police would not hesitate to pursue similar measures where necessary, particularly where vulnerable young people were being targeted.

Councillor Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities at Lancashire County Council, said the orders demonstrated that illegal traders would not be tolerated in the county. "Illegal tobacco and vape sales are often just one part of a much wider pattern of offending," Roberts said. "By targeting these activities, we are helping to disrupt criminal networks, improve community safety and ensure legitimate businesses are not placed at a disadvantage."

Roberts urged anyone with information about illegal tobacco or vaping sales to contact Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

The action forms part of Operation Centurion, a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. Members of the public can report anti-social behaviour to Lancashire Police by calling 101 or via the force's website.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)