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A retail outlet located at 242 County Road has been shut down for the third time in under three years due to the sale of illegal vapes and cigarettes. Since late 2023, the shop has changed ownership three times, with each proprietor subsequently facing court-issued closure orders following investigations conducted by Liverpool City Council.
Initially operating under the name Local Extra Mini Market, the store was first closed for six weeks starting 30 November 2023. During a Council-led investigation, authorities discovered contraband vapes and cigarettes hidden within specially constructed wall and ceiling compartments. Alongside the closure order, the courts imposed a £600 cost payment to the Council. Even though the shop was sold and kept its original name, further probes revealed ongoing illegal sales, resulting in a three-month closure mandated on 17 May 2024. The new owners were also required to cover costs amounting to £2,200.
Less than two years following these actions, the premises faced its third closure. Now renamed American Candy, the current owners were again found vending illicit tobacco products to the public. On 5 February, they were ordered to cease operations for another three months and to pay £1,988 to the Council. This marks a unique case where a single business has been closed three times after Public Protection Enforcement officers’ interventions. The Council emphasizes that unregulated vapes, cigarettes, and tobacco items may include banned substances that pose significant health hazards to consumers.
Regulations governing vape sales are detailed in the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. These rules limit e-cigarette tank capacities to 2ml (approximately 600 puffs) and restrict the maximum refill container volume of nicotine-containing e-liquids to 10ml. Additionally, the nicotine concentration in e-liquids must not exceed 20mg/ml. Residents concerned about shops selling illicit products are encouraged to report their suspicions to Liverpool City Council or through Crimestoppers. Reports regarding the sale of age-restricted items to minors can also be submitted via the Council or Trading Standards. Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, commented, “Vapes can play a genuine role in helping people quit smoking, but only when they meet strict safety standards. What we’ve seen at this premises is the deliberate sale of unregulated, potentially dangerous products that put residents at risk. Closing this shop for a third time shows that we will not hesitate to act against businesses that ignore the law and undermine public health.”
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