Nottingham shops closed after illegal vape sales
Two Nottingham shops have been ordered to close for three months after repeated investigations found illegal tobacco and non-compliant vaping products being sold from the premises.
Grab & Go on Sneinton Road and All In One on Nuthall Road in Basford were both made subject to closure orders by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. The orders were granted under section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The action follows joint work by Nottingham City Council Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police, who said the businesses had continued selling illicit products despite enforcement activity and previous opportunities to stop.
Two named shops shut for three months
The closure orders mean both premises must remain shut for three months. For nearby residents and legitimate retailers, the immediate effect is the removal of two shops that authorities say were repeatedly linked to the sale of illegal tobacco and vaping products.
Grab & Go, on Sneinton Road, was investigated after intelligence was received in January 2025. During visits to the shop, officers seized illegal cigarettes, non-duty paid tobacco and non-compliant vapes.
A 35-year-old man later received a police caution for selling 87 packets of illegal cigarettes and tobacco. Trading Standards officers also carried out undercover purchases at the store, buying illegal cigarettes at prices described as significantly below legitimate retail value.
A further enforcement visit in April 2026 led to more illegal tobacco products being seized. Nottinghamshire Police then applied for a closure order, which magistrates granted on 15 May.
All In One, on Nuthall Road in Basford, was also found selling illegal tobacco and vaping products on multiple occasions between September 2025 and April 2026. Officers discovered illegal cigarettes hidden outside the store before further test purchase operations found illegal tobacco products being sold to Trading Standards officers.
Why the enforcement action was taken
Illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes are a concern for enforcement teams because they can bypass safety controls, evade duty and be sold at prices that undercut lawful businesses. Officials also warned that cheaper, unregulated products can be more accessible to children and young people.
Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities at Nottingham City Council, said the closure orders sent a clear message to businesses selling illegal tobacco or vaping products in Nottingham.
He said Trading Standards teams work with Nottinghamshire Police to investigate illegal activity, protect residents and support businesses that operate responsibly. He added that illegal tobacco and vapes undermine honest traders, dodge tax and pose health risks, particularly for young people.
The Nottingham cases sit within a wider pattern of council and police action against illicit tobacco and vape sales across England. Similar enforcement has seen shops closed over hidden tobacco sales in other cities, with local authorities using closure powers when repeated raids or test purchases suggest offending is continuing.
Police say repeated warnings were ignored
PC Dylan Scally, who oversaw the closure order applications, said premises involved in the sale and distribution of illicit cigarettes showed disregard for the law and local authority.
He said the products undermined legitimate traders, evaded tax and put residents at risk. In these cases, he said both businesses had opportunities to cease their criminality but failed to do so.
Chief Inspector Kylie Davies, of Nottinghamshire Police, said illegal tobacco and vaping products pose real risks to public health because they are often unregulated and more accessible to children and young people.
Further checks expected across Nottingham
Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Police said they work together throughout the year to tackle the sale of illegal and unsafe products. Their stated aims include protecting public health, supporting legitimate businesses and disrupting criminal activity linked to illicit tobacco and vaping products.
The latest orders show that closure powers can be used when investigators believe repeated sales are continuing after seizures, cautions or test purchases. For shop owners in Nottingham, the cases underline that enforcement can move beyond product seizure to a court-backed shutdown of the premises.
Police said they will continue to use available powers to disrupt criminal activity and protect communities.
Source: Nottingham City Council
Source check Source trail
This report was adapted from Nottingham City Council's account of the court orders and enforcement activity.
- Matched the named premises to the source: Grab & Go on Sneinton Road and All In One on Nut...
- Kept the court basis to section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 20...
- Retained the reported closure date of 15 May and the three-month duration of both orders.
- Separated council and police comments from confirmed enforcement chronology.
- Source
- Nottingham City Council
- Scope
- Nottingham
- Updated
- 2026-05-26 14:38
Source check
Report a trust issue
Send a clear signal to community moderation if the source, facts or context need review.
Comments