Solihull Boss Mart Owner Fined £7,000 for Illegal Vape Sales as Shop Shut Down
The owner of a Solihull Boss Mart store has been fined nearly £7,000 after being convicted of selling illegal vapes. The trader, identified only as D Kharoty by Solihull Council, was fined in his absence at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on February 27.
Case Details and Court Ruling
The case related to 'Boss Mart 4' which had been operating from Stratford Road in Shirley until the shop was shut down in 2024 after a raid uncovered illegal vapes being sold. Boss Mart 4 ceased trading from the site in October 2025.
Kharoty, of Ferguson Road, Oldbury, was sentenced for selling illegal vapes and ordered to pay £1,100. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £440 and £5,189 towards costs - totalling £6,749.
Repeated Shutdowns and Community Concerns
The premises was later taken over by another business operating under the name 'Boss Mart 3' until that was shut down last weekend (February 28/March 1). Boss Mart 3 was shut following notice given to all interested parties.
Solihull Council said it would be applying to the court for a closure order of the premises. It said it was in response to "repeated reports" from the community about alleged anti-social behaviour, sale of illegal tobacco and vapes, and sale of age-restricted products to children.
The council said West Midlands Police had seized a large amount of illegal tobacco and cigarettes from the premises on February 4, 2026.
Council Response and Public Appeal
Coun Wazma Qais, Solihull Council’s cabinet member for communities, said: “This is fantastic news and a significant achievement following months of hard work by Regulatory Services. We hope it sends a strong message to businesses operating illegally that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated in Solihull.”
A spokesperson for the authority added: "If people have concerns about illegal sales or anti-social behaviour in their area, please do report them via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or to West Midlands Police on 101 or Live Chat."
