Illegal shop closures in Lincolnshire surge fivefold in crackdown

The number of Lincolnshire shops shut down for selling illegal tobacco and vapes has risen more than fivefold in just two years, as enforcement efforts across the county ramp up.

In 2022/23, 12 shops were closed by Trading Standards. That number jumped to 32 in 2023/24 - and has hit 74 in 2024/25.

Mark Keal, Head of Trading Standards in Lincolnshire, says the sharp rise doesn’t necessarily reflect more shops opening, "whilst it looks like there's a lot more shops, it's because a lot more people are looking," he said.

"I think it can be perceived to be growing because as you undertake this enforcement activity, you close the premise down, it's not like the people behind that premise goes away."

"These are organised criminals, they will be prepping another premise in the town to move into as soon as one premise is closed."

The intensifying crackdown has led to the largest single seizure of illegal tobacco products ever recorded by Lincolnshire Trading Standards.

On 23 July, officers raided two shops in Gainsborough and a house in the Retford area, uncovering more than 320,000 illegal cigarettes and 165kg of hand-rolling tobacco.

The operation was a joint effort between Lincolnshire Trading Standards, Lincolnshire Police, and Nottinghamshire Police.

Following the raids, one woman was arrested, and both Gainsborough shops were ordered to close for the maximum period of three months.

Closure orders were granted at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on 25 July for:

Blue Sky, 5–7 Church Street, Gainsborough

European Shop, 114 Trinity Street, Gainsborough

Andy Wright, principal trading standards officer at Lincolnshire County Council, said "We estimate the street value of the goods seized to be in excess of £140,000."

“The connections between the sale of illegal cigarettes and organised crime are well documented. In many cases those involved will have connections to drugs, people trafficking, and money laundering.

"It is common for my officers to find people with no UK right to work in sole charge of shops selling illegal cigarettes and vapes. In those instances, we work jointly with Police and Immigration Officers."

Trading Standards say investigations are ongoing and criminal prosecutions will be pursued where appropriate.