Court orders closure of Salisbury vape shop linked to illicit tobacco trade

At a hearing on 23 October, Salisbury Magistrates' Court granted the order for Greenland, 106 Fisherton Street, after hearing evidence from the council's Trading Standards officers that the premiseshad been repeatedly used to store and sell illicit tobacco.

The order means that only named residents and authorised individuals are permitted to enter the premises. Anyone who enters the premises without authorisation is committing a criminal offenceand could face imprisonment and/or a fine.

On 29 September, Trading Standards officers, supported by Wiltshire Police and a specially trained tobacco detection dog, carried out a search of the premises. The operation uncovered concealedstocks of illegal tobacco products, including cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco that failed to comply with UK legislation. Despite significant enforcement action and product seizures, offending continued and further illegal sales were identified in October2026.

Investigations began earlier this year after intelligence linked the premises to individuals suspected of involvement in the illicit tobacco trade. During inspections and test purchase operationscarried out between July and October, officers identified and seized suspected counterfeit cigarettes, duty-evaded tobacco and prohibited shisha products.

A Closure Notice was served on the premises on 21 October before the council successfully applied for a Closure Order two days later.

The court granted the Closure Order, which will remain in force for three months, after hearing that previous enforcement action had failed to prevent criminal activity from continuing at thepremises and that closure was necessary to protect the public and prevent further offending.

Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: "The illegal tobacco trade harms legitimate businesses, reduces vital tax revenue and is often linked to wider criminal activity. Businesses that choose to ignore the law and profit from the sale of illegal tobacco should be in no doubt that we will takerobust enforcement action.

"Despite repeated interventions and product seizures, illegal tobacco continued to be

sold from these premises, making this Closure Order necessary.

"We remain committed to protecting consumers, supporting honest local businesses and disrupting the illicit tobacco trade across Wiltshire."

Illegal tobacco products are often sold at significantly lower prices than legitimate products because no duty has been paid. Counterfeit cigarettes may also present additional safety risks,including the absence of recognised safety standards and required product information.

Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco products can report it confidentially via the Trading Standards South West website: www.tssw.org.uk/work-areas/report-it/