July 24, 2026 - 254 views
A shop in Llandudno has been ordered to close for three months after Conwy County Borough Council's Trading Standards team seized illegal tobacco during an enforcement operation.
Trading Standards officers inspected Easy Shop, at 42 Madoc Street, on Wednesday, 22 July, as part of an operation targeting the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes across Conwy.
The council said the premises had previously been the subject of numerous complaints and enforcement visits. Allegations included the sale of tobacco and vapes to children, the discovery of false walls and hidden storage areas, the use of a nearby "stash car" and previous seizures of illicit products.
During the latest inspection, officers seized a quantity of illegal tobacco and served a closure notice under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
The following day, Llandudno Magistrates' Court granted a Closure Order requiring the business to shut for three months.
Councillor Stephen Price, Conwy's Cabinet Member for Housing, Regulatory and Audit, said the council was committed to protecting the community and supporting legitimate businesses.
He said: "Those businesses who supply illegal tobacco and vapes are harmful to legitimate local businesses and are not welcome in Conwy. The message to anyone operating, planning to operate, or knowingly letting a property to such a business is we will use the full force of the law and close you down."
He also praised the council's Trading Standards officers for their work, adding: "The message is clear – not in Conwy."
The council warned that easy access to cheap tobacco increases the risk of children developing lifelong nicotine addiction. It also said illegal tobacco and vapes may contain nicotine levels above legal limits, as well as unregulated and potentially dangerous contaminants.
Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco or vapes is being urged to report it anonymously through the No Ifs, No Butts reporting service or contact Conwy Trading Standards.
