Coventry store forced to shut for three months after raid

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Radford Minimarket on Radford Road is the first store in Coventry to have been shut for selling banned cigarettes, tobacco, and vapes



A Coventry store has been ordered to close its doors for three months after a council investigation found it was selling illegal cigarettes. Coventry City Council has secured a three-month closures at The Radford Minimarket, located along Radford Road.

The council also found the store selling illegal tobacco products, despite a warning and fine being issued previously. The Radford Minimarket is the first store in the city to be issued with the closure order by the courts.

The store has been ordered to close until March 21 2023. The shop has not been complying with UK labelling requirements. Officials say low costs there indicate duty and VAT payments have not been made on the cigarettes.

Officials say the lower price makes it easier for kids to buy them and encourages smoking at a young age. Stores that sell illegal tobacco contribute to anti-social behaviour, and are a problem for the local community, the council said.

Cllr Abdul Salam Khan, Deputy Leader of the Council, and Cabinet Member Responsible for Policing, said: “This is the first time the council has applied for an order for the sale of illegal cigarettes, and we are delighted the court supported our approach. This action has not been taken lightly and follows a lengthy investigation and previous warnings to the store owner.

“The sale of illegal tobacco products is a problem in many communities and has many consequences, and in taking this action we are sending a warning to anyone involved in the trade that we will use all resources available to us to protect the residents of our city.” The store has been ordered to close completely for three months and no one is allowed to access or remain on the premises.

The District Judge said the order – made under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 - was necessary to prevent nuisance, crime or disorder from continuing or recurring. The Illicit Tobacco Partnership, a tobacco control programme, carried out a survey in 2017 which found that 50% of underage smokers in the north-east of England said illegal tobacco had helped them get hooked.