Two Stoke-on-Trent businesses have been forced to close their doors following repeated enforcement action against the sale of illegal tobacco products. The city council’s trading standards team, working in coordination with HMRC and National Trading Standards, secured the closure orders to prevent further illicit activity that threatens community safety and undermines legitimate local commerce.
Premises targeted by enforcement action
The two businesses, Longton Drinks Limited Vape Shop and Victoria Eastern European Food, were previously subject to three-month closure orders. Despite these initial interventions, investigations revealed that both premises continued to store and supply illegal tobacco products, effectively operating as fronts for the illicit trade.
Longton Drinks Limited Vape Shop first came to the attention of authorities in January 2026 following a public complaint. A subsequent seizure of illegal tobacco led to further investigations, during which officers conducted five test purchases that confirmed the sale of counterfeit tobacco products despite repeated formal warnings. Similarly, Victoria Eastern European Food, which had reopened in February 2026, was found to be supplying counterfeit cigarettes during a test purchase in April 2026, resulting in a further seizure of illegal goods. The persistent nature of these sales, occurring shortly after the expiration of previous legal sanctions, prompted the council to seek immediate, renewed closure orders to halt the supply chain.
Protecting the local community and public safety
The latest closure orders were officially granted on 21 May 2026. Councillor Amjid Wazir, cabinet member for city pride and enforcement at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, emphasized that the city maintains a zero-tolerance approach toward the sale of illegal tobacco. The council views these closures as a necessary step to protect public health and ensure that the local marketplace remains competitive for law-abiding business owners.
“Removing these products off our streets keeps young people safe, supports honest local traders and forms part of the city council’s wider work to make our town centres family-friendly and safe to live in,” Councillor Wazir stated. The council remains committed to persistent enforcement to ensure that businesses operating in the city adhere to legal standards. The authority has warned that any business found circumventing these regulations will face serious legal consequences, including the potential for permanent revocation of trading privileges.
The essentials
Residents who have concerns regarding the sale of illegal tobacco, vapes, or potential underage sales are encouraged to report them to the local authority. Reporting illicit trade helps the council target its limited resources toward the most problematic premises. Information can be provided to the Trading Standards hotline at 01782 238884 or through the official Stoke-on-Trent City Council website at www.stoke.gov.uk/tradingstandards. These reports are treated as vital intelligence in the ongoing effort to maintain safety across the city’s retail sector.
Source: Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Source check Verified Local Report
This report is based on official enforcement data released by Stoke-on-Trent City Council regarding specific commercial premises.
- Cross-referenced with Stoke-on-Trent City Council press archives
- Verified enforcement dates against council records
- Confirmed involvement of HMRC and National Trading Standards
- Source
- Stoke-on-Trent City Council News
- Scope
- Stoke-on-Trent
- Updated
- 2026-06-09 10:28
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