A shop in Stalybridge has been forced to close after repeatedly being caught selling illegal cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, and vapes.
Tameside Council secured a court order to shut down Staly Mini Market on Melbourne Street following a long-running investigation by its Trading Standards team. The closure order was granted at Stockport Magistrates’ Court on 8 August 2025 under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Since 2021, council officers have seized 34,080 illegal cigarettes, 16.95 kilograms of illicit hand-rolling tobacco, and 270 illegal e-cigarettes from the premises.
The court imposed a three-month closure order, preventing the business from operating during that time. The move forms part of ongoing efforts to protect public health and tackle the sale of counterfeit and non-compliant tobacco and vaping products in the borough.
Tameside Council Executive Member for Environmental Services and Neighbourhoods Cllr Laura Boyle said: “This is another great result from our trading standards team, who work closely with Greater Manchester Police and other partners to tackle this illegal activity.
“Trade in illicit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.
“The court order will prevent this business from continuing to break the law and having a negative impact on the local community. I hope it also sends a clear message to others involved in the sale of illegal tobacco that we will find them and take action.”
If you have information on a businesses involved in illicit sales you can report it anonymously at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or https://keep-it-out.co.uk/
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