The store subjected to a long investigation by the council’s Trading Standards teamUK Store, based on Clarendon Street, HydeUK Store, based on Clarendon Street, Hyde(Image: Tameside council)

A shop in Hyde has been shut down for selling counterfeit cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.

Two recent seizures by Tameside Trading Standards seized a total of 27,840 illegal cigarettes and 4.75kg of illegal hand rolling tobacco from the shop named UK Store, Stockport Magistrates’ heard on November 21.

During Tameside council investigation into the Clarendon Street store, there has been a long history of seizures and sales of illegal cigarettes, hand rolling tobacco and e-cigarettes, according to the local authority.

A three month closure order was granted by magistrates following evidence from the council’s Trading Standards team and Greater Manchester Police.

The authorities told the court how the shop’s illegal activity was likely to continue unless the business was closed.

Dukinfield Town Hall(Image: LDRS)

Tameside council’s executive member for environmental services and neighbourhoods, Coun Laura Boyle, said: “The illegal tobacco trade supports crime rings, damages legitimate businesses, undermines public health and facilitates the supply of tobacco to young people.

“We work closely with businesses to support them to meet their public protection duties and ensure they are compliant but where they are found to be flouting the law, we will always take enforcement action.

“Well done to the officers involved in successfully securing this closure order from the court – it will disrupt this illegal activity that was causing real harm to our community.”