Lancaster vape shops shut down over illegal tobacco sales
Trading Standards find shops selling illicit goods
Two vape shops in Lancaster City Centre have been ordered to close following multiple Trading Standards inspections revealing illegal tobacco sales.
Lancaster Police issued the closure orders to One Stop Mini Market on Church Street and Euro Shop on Cheapside on Tuesday, 25th August 2026, prohibiting entry to either establishment until November 2026.
The closures follow a series of test purchasing operations where both shops were caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes, including to underage buyers.
Euro Shop failed five Trading Standards inspections and several test purchases, while One Stop failed seven out of eight inspections and three test purchases.
Pete Burns, Lancaster Police's Civil Orders Officer, said: “These closure orders are the result of dedicated targeting by Lancaster Police and Lancashire Trading Standards to tackle businesses that put profit before the safety and wellbeing of our communities."
Councillor Joshua Roberts of Lancashire County Council emphasised the significance of these actions, noting that such illegal sales often connect to broader criminal activities and disrupt community safety.
Lancashire Constabulary leads Op Centurion, a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, with support from the Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
Residents can report illegal sales to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service.