A city centre shop in Lichfield has been ordered to shut its doors after environmental health officers discovered it was selling cigarettes and vapes to children.
Major raid uncovers hidden haul
The Euro Mini Market convenience store on St John Street was raided on Wednesday, November 12, by Lichfield District Council's Environmental Health team. They were supported by Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards officers and Staffordshire Police in a coordinated operation.
During the search, officers uncovered a substantial quantity of vaping products, cigarettes and tobacco. Four suitcases filled with these items were discovered hidden in an outbuilding, with the council using a drone to assist in locating the concealed products.
A history of illegal activity
This was not the first time the shop had faced such action. Previous raids had revealed similar illegal hauls, including products that were either harmful, counterfeit, or contained unknown substances. Some items had been smuggled into the country without any tax being paid.
A district council spokesman confirmed: "Euro Mini Market has a history of being used to facilitate crime, including the sale of cigarettes and vapes to children."
During one particularly significant raid in October 2024, authorities seized:
- 16,140 cigarettes
- 5.3kg of hand rolling tobacco
- 1,165 disposable vapes
On that occasion, some products had been deliberately concealed within the building and required a search dog to locate them.
Legal action and consequences
Lichfield District Council has issued a Closure Notice under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The shop will remain closed for 48 hours while the council prepares an application to magistrates for a Closure Order that could last up to three months.
Councillor Richard Cox, Lichfield District Council's cabinet member for Community and Public Protection, stated: "Selling harmful or illegal products is completely unacceptable, even more so when they are being sold to children."
He added: "Our officers work tirelessly to protect people and uphold the law, and we'll continue to take robust action against any business found to be breaking it."
The council also revealed that another shop on the same row, Dylan Convenience Store, has closed after similar raids by Environmental Health and Trading Standards. That operation led to the seizure of products including food and drink known to be harmful and illegal to sell in the UK, resulting in the landlord evicting the tenants.
Cllr Cox issued a warning to property owners: "Landlords need to be extremely vigilant as to who they rent shops out to. If they receive rent from a shop involved in crime, the landlord could be investigated under the Proceeds of Crime Act and the money confiscated."
The council emphasised that such criminal activity not only poses health risks but also undermines legitimate local businesses operating within the law.
