A vape shop in Durham has been ordered to close for three months after repeatedly selling to minors, despite previous warnings and seized stock.
The shop, Phone Gadget on Silver Street, ignored several warnings. They sold illegal products worth thousands. Durham County Council acted after receiving 19 complaints.
During inspections, officers found hundreds of illegal vapes and tobacco. Some items were hidden under the counter. One seizure alone was valued at over £2,800.
The council’s business compliance manager stated that selling vapes to kids is illegal. They aim to protect young people’s health and prevent addiction.
The court learned that complaints about the shop date back to May 2022. Despite advice given to the owner, illegal sales continued.
In September 2022, officers seized 69 illegal vapes. The owner received a warning but continued selling to minors. A test purchase in April 2023 confirmed this.
The owner faced prosecution for selling counterfeit and non-compliant products. Further test purchases in May and July also revealed illegal sales.
In December, the owner was prosecuted again for selling to minors. Even after court hearings, illegal sales persisted.
During a recent test purchase, 123 illegal vapes were found, along with counterfeit tobacco. The total value of the seized items was £2,844.
The illegal products were hidden from view, stored under the counter and in a cupboard. Local authorities supported the shop’s closure.
The owner claimed he trusted someone else to run the shop. He stated he has since changed staff and will ensure ID checks are enforced.
In addition to the closure, the owner must pay costs of £1,709. Local police received numerous complaints from concerned parents about the shop’s activities.
