A shop in Bacup has been ordered to close, following a series of failed inspections and test purchases carried out by Lancashire Police and Trading Standards, along with the sale of illegal tobacco and illicit vape products.
This follows months of dedicated work between officers in our local Neighbourhood Policing Teams and our partners at Trading Standards.
Bacup Mini Market on Union Street has now been ordered to close for three months, after a closure order was granted at Burnley Magistrates Court on Wednesday 14 October. Under UK law, initial premises closure orders are capped at three months.
Anyone seen entering the store before the Closure Order concludes on Thursday 14 January 2027 without reasonable excuse will be committing a criminal offence and can face a fine and/or imprisonment. Any further failed inspections or test purchases will also be dealt with robustly.
Tony Norman, Civil Orders Officer for the East, said: “We will continue to target shops who sell illegal tobacco and illicit vapes, which are damaging for our communities. May this closure order be a reminder to members of the public that we do listen to your concerns, and do not tolerate this kind of criminal behaviour on our high streets.
“Please continue sharing information and reports with us or Trading Standards, so we can continue to take firm action against businesses like these. Your concerns will be heard and acted upon.”
Cllr Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: “Illegal tobacco and illicit vapes have no place on our high streets. They can put consumers at risk, undermine honest local businesses and fund wider criminal activity.
“This closure order demonstrates what can be achieved when our Trading Standards officers and Lancashire Police work together. We will continue to take firm action against businesses that break the law, protect consumers and ensure legitimate traders are not undercut by those operating illegally.
“I would encourage anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or illicit vapes to report it. Information from the public is vital in helping us identify offenders and take action.”
This closure order was undertaken as part of Lancashire Constabulary’s Operation Centurion, a county-wide crack down on anti-social behaviour and criminality, backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. You can report anti-social behaviour concerns to Lancashire Police by calling 101 or via their website https://www.lancashire.police.uk/ro/report/