Three Sunderland stores closed down after selling illegal tobacco products
“These closure orders send a very clear message that we will not tolerate criminal practices”
Three Sunderland stores selling illicit tobacco products and illegal vapes have been closed down by the City Council.
All the stores had been repeatedly inspected by City Council Trading Standards officers and all held stocks of illicit tobacco. During test purchases the stores had all sold the illicit cigarettes.
In the most recent 'day of action' against the stores on Thursday 2 July, more than 1,000 packets of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were seized.
Following applications from Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Magistrates' Court granted closure notices for all three stores at a hearing on Friday 31 July.
Concord News, on Victoria Road, Washington was closed after repeated enforcement action against the premises in relation to the sale of illicit tobacco, including seizures accumulating over 200 articles across several visits between July 8, 2023 and July 2, 2026.
Hylton Food Store on Hylton Road, Sunderland, was also subjected to repeated enforcement action in relation to the sale of illicit tobacco, including seizures accumulating over 480 articles across three visits between November 7, 2024, and July 2, 2026.
Also on the closure list was the International Mini Market on Newbottle street, Houghton, after multiple large seizures of illicit tobacco between August 29, 2022 and July 2, 2026.
Magistrates heard how all the stores had histories of repeated enforcement action and a lack of engagement and cooperation from staff, or business and property owners. Magistrates had also heard how the illegal sales raised community and public safety concerns.
Speaking following the closure orders, the City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Enforcement, Councillor Bill Blackett said: "This crackdown is testament to our firm commitment to tackling illegal goods and keeping people safe.
"Residents deserve to feel confident that the shops on their high streets are operating safely, legally and responsibly. These closure orders send a very clear message that we will not tolerate criminal practices.
"A lot of the background information and intelligence about these shops has come from members of the public. I would remind and urge anyone with concerns about shops and illegal sales to contact their local councillor or the council.
"The sale of illegal tobacco and vapes fuels organised crime and undermines legitimate local businesses."
City Council trading standards and Community Safety Teams worked closely with residents, Northumbria Police, and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit inspecting, monitoring and now closing the stores.
Northumbria Police's Chief Inspector for Communities in Sunderland, Ian Blakemore said: "We know how concerning the sale of illegal products is, that’s why we carry out this work with our partners with the intention of putting an end to it.
"This type of criminality is often linked to much wider offending and organised crime groups.
"These closures are only possible due to intelligence the community supplies and the results really represent just how crucial partnership working is in our neighbourhoods.
"If you do have any information about the supply and sale of suspected illegal tobacco, vapes and cigarettes in your area, please let us know so that we can take action and target the premises who are disrupting our communities."
You can anonymously report any stores you believe to be selling illegal tobacco via the Sunderland City Council website.
The City Council has confirmed more closures will be announced in the coming weeks.