Little Hulton shop closed down for repeated sales of illegal cigarettes and tobacco

Salford City Council’s Regulatory Services Team has served a Closure Order (Wednesday 25 February) against Walkden Mini Market Ltd, Manchester Road East in Little Hulton, which will remain in place for three months. The legal action follows repeated instances of the shop selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco.

Following a joint operation between Salford City Council’s Trading Standards team and Environmental Protection team, a three-month closure of the shop was authorised. The order was granted by Manchester Magistrates Court after the council demonstrated the necessity of the closure.

Judge Hogarth recorded that the involvement and investigatory actions of Salford City Council to date appear to have provided no deterrent to the continued sale of illegal tobacco products resulting in criminal activity and public nuisance, and commented that a Closure Order was potentially the only way of preventing the behaviour from recurring at the premises.

Since February 2024, the council’s Trading Standards team has carried out three separate seizures of illicit cigarettes and tobacco at the premises. These repeated violations occurred despite ongoing enforcement action and followed 31 complaints from members of the public.

In total, officers removed 6,700 individual sticks – equivalent to 335 packets, valued at more than £1,700. The seizure also included 57 packs (2.85kg) of hand-rolling tobacco and 84 vapes, further highlighting the extent of the illicit trade at the premises.

During the first inspection, officers discovered a hidden compartment above the rear exit doors. This concealment contained 4,760 sticks (238 packs) and 1.6kg of hand-rolling tobacco (32 packs), which were immediately seized.

A second inspection uncovered two further hidden concealments in the rear of the business premises. From these, officers recovered 1,940 sticks (97 packs), 1.2kg of hand-rolling tobacco (24 packs), and 84 illegal vapes.

Persistent enforcement efforts included five successful test purchases of illicit cigarettes. Despite receiving further complaints, subsequent visits to the premises did not locate any more illicit cigarettes.

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety said: “This shop repeatedly ignored our warnings, continuing to trade in illegal products even after multiple enforcement visits and seizures. By securing this Closure Order, we are sending a strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated and legal action will be taken.

“We want to make sure that everyone in Salford has the opportunity to live longer, healthier and happier lives. That means protecting the health of our residents and in particular, safeguarding children from the flood of dangerous, illegal products that are being sold in our city and across the UK.

“I want to thank the community for their vigilance in reporting this criminal activity so that we could investigate and obtain the order. We have a zero-tolerance approach to the sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco and will continue to take firm action across Salford.”

Gillian Mclauchlan, Director of Public Health and Wellbeing at Salford City Council, said: “The City’s Tackling Tobacco Alliance aims to reduce smoking prevalence, save lives and lessen the harm caused by tobacco. Reducing the availability of illicit tobacco sits within the Enforcement Pillar of the alliance, as we know that illicit tobacco products make it much easier for children and young people to access tobacco and become addicted. I welcome this closure as an important step in protecting Salford’s population.”

Consumers concerned about rogue traders can report issues to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. Consumers can also report any concerns, anonymously, by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the Keep It Out website.