‘Nuisance’ shop closed by officials still trading due to courts backlog
7 Days Trowbridge has a history of selling illegal vapes
A convenience store that was ordered to stop trading last summer looks set to stay open until April next year – because of a backlog in the courts.
7 Days Trowbridge Ltd, which has a history of selling illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco, was issued with a four-week closure order on 19 June 2025.
The order, issued under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, was granted by Salisbury Magistrates’ Court.
A month later, Wiltshire Council’s western area licensing sub-committee agreed to revoke the business’s Premises Licence.
Councillors deemed that the owner had failed to prevent crime and disorder and uphold public safety.
But trader Hawkar Mohamed went back to the magistrates to appeal the council’s decision.
And while the business owner and council await the court’s judgment, he is allowed to continue trading.
At a meeting of Wiltshire Council’s full council last week, an exasperated Trevor Carbin, chairman of the licensing committee, updated members on the situation.
“The final hearing has been set at the magistrate’s court for the 22nd of April 2027,” he told councillors.
“The query was, is that a typo? The answer is no. That’s the way the magistrates’ courts are working.
“It is next year before we get the decision on that one.”
In a statement after the meeting, Cllr Paul Sample, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for public protection, confirmed: “The premises can continue trading while the appeal process is ongoing, and this includes the sale of alcohol.
“We recognise the delay is frustrating for residents, and we will continue to monitor the premises while the appeal process continues.”
The town centre convenience store opened at 6 and 7 Wicker Hill in 2022 and, says the council, “has been the subject of repeated investigations.”
Since September 2022, Trading Standards officers have seized illegal disposable vapes, counterfeit tobacco products, and large sums of cash from the premises.
Despite verbal and written warnings, illegal activity continued.
Reports of illicit sales persisted throughout 2023, 2024, and into 2025.
In April 2025, officers from Wiltshire Police stopped a man pulling a suitcase near the premises.
He was found with hundreds of packets of illicit tobacco and over £1,200 in cash.
He was also in possession of keys to the shop, where he claimed to be staying.
A subsequent search of the premises by the police uncovered more illegal tobacco and more than £3,000 in cash.
A further £2,500 was also found on Mr Mohamed when he arrived.