When Lincolnshire Trading Standards put up closure notices at 56 Market Place in Boston, officers discovered the owner had re-located the convenience store to the premises next door.
On 7 October 2024 Lincoln Magistrates Court granted a closure order for a period of 3 months at 56 Market Place, Boston. The court heard evidence that counterfeit cigarettes had been sold from the premises and reports from members of the public that cigarettes and vapes had been sold to children.
The court ordered that the premises be shut for a period of 3 months, and found that the closure was necessary to prevent further criminal offending. The application was contested by the owner – Nabaz Omar of 104 Castle Street, Boston.
Whilst putting closure posters in place, a member of the public told the Principal Trading Standards Officer that counterfeit cigarettes were now being sold next door at 57 Market Place.
This premises was formerly a barbers and illegal, and overnight they had converted it into a convenience store seemingly with the intention of continuing the supply of illegal cigarettes. Counterfeit cigarettes were found behind the counter and subsequently seized. A closure order for 57 Market Place will now be applied for.
Andy Wright from Lincolnshire Trading Standards, explained:
“It would appear that both 56 and 57 Market Place are within the same ownership and the closure order issued on number 56 seemingly moved the illegal trading to the neighbouring shop where they were ready to sell in the early hours of the morning. In the circumstances there appears little alternative but to seek a further closure order. My team will also conduct investigations into the offending on the premises and institute criminal proceedings where appropriate.”
“Lincolnshire Trading Standards in association with Lincolnshire Police conduct test purchase exercises with children under the age of 18. We have found that premises selling illegal cigarettes and vapes are 14 times more likely to sell those products to persons under 18 than their law-abiding competitors.”
Sgt David Robinson of Boston’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said, “We will continue to work closely with our Trading Standards partners to prevent the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes. This activity is not only detrimental for the health of the community, but it also hinders the prosperity of the legitimate businesses who abide by the laws and regulations in place.
“Our officers are always keen to speak with members of our community at various engagements. Often this is an ideal opportunity for residents to raise concerns and pass on vital information which we record and work with in the background. This information often helps to build a bigger picture and contributes a great deal of evidence which is required before we can take legal action and ultimately disrupt the criminality associated with these premises.
“We need your vital inputs and urge you to continue to speak with us about any concerns you may have in relation to the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes. You can speak to us at any of our community engagements or submit information via the contact details found on our quarterly newsletters on our website.
“This latest closure order is testament to the determination of this united partnership to do whatever we can to ensure that Lincolnshire is one of the safest places to work, live and visit.”