Spalding shops closed for selling illegal cigarettes and vapes - just weeks after a previous order expired

Two more shops have been forced to shut for three months after police have seized illegal cigarettes and vapes.

Stop N Shop and Nida, both in Winsover Road, Spalding, will not be allowed to open for three months thanks to closure orders imposed by South Holland Police and Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

Officers say a number of ‘illegal vape and tobacco products’ were seized during an operation on the shops, which took place on October 16 - just weeks after a previous closure order had expired.

Andy Wright, Principal Trading Standards Officer said, “These shops have only been open a matter of weeks after previous closure orders expired. The most recent closure orders are for the exact same reason, the sale of illegal cigarettes and vapes.

“The number of cosure orders issued in and around Spalding shows that the sale of illegal goods is not incidental to these businesses. Without the sale of illegal goods the businesses are not viable, they rely on criminal activity for their main source of income. Clearly this has a detrimental effect on legitimate businesses who cannot compete on equal terms, pushing many out of business.”

“The order prohibits anyone from remaining on or entering the property with a few exceptions to allow maintenance. If anyone does anything which they are prohibited from doing by this order, they are liable for arrest and could receive up to 51 week in prison, or a fine, or both.”

Sgt Callum Corder from South Holland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team “It is deemed that making a closure order was necessary to prevent further criminal activity on the premises. These orders last for three months and are in place until midnight on 16th January 2025.”