Gloucester shop closed for three months after repeated illegal tobacco sales
Too Late Mini Market was subject to over 30 test purchases of illegal tobacco before the closure order was granted
A shop in Gloucester has been ordered to close for three months following repeated sales of illegal tobacco.
Too Late Mini Market, located on Barton Street, is now subject to a closure order that prevents anyone other than Emergency Services and Trading Standards from entering the premises.
The order was granted by a judge on 27th January after the Gloucester Neighbourhood Support Team and Trading Standards raised concerns about illegal tobacco sales at the shop.
Since November 2023, when the shop was known as Too Late Mini Market, there have been 37 test purchases of illegal tobacco, resulting in 1,999 packs of illegal cigarettes and 258 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, valued at approximately £14,000, being seized.
During this time, the shop was subjected to three other closure orders closing the premises for nine months in total, but despite this the owners regularly sold suspected illegal tobacco.
The current order is valid until 11.59pm on 27th April 2026, and anyone found at the premises risks imprisonment for three months and a fine.
PC Tim Burch said: "Many test purchases have been conducted at the shop where illegal cigarettes have been purchased and it appears that the worker leaves the shop, goes to a vehicle to collect cigarettes before returning to sell to the customer.
“Too Late Mini Market has had more Trading Standards inspections than any other shop suspected of selling illegal tobacco.”
Cllr Paul Hodgkinson, cabinet member for Trading Standards at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Our Trading Standards team continues to work closely with our police colleagues to disrupt the supply of illegal tobacco.
"It’s important for the public to remember that no duty is paid on these products, meaning no money goes towards the vital public services we all rely on.
"The sale of illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime — this criminal activity is frequently linked to wider offending and we will continue working in partnership to protect our communities.”