A melksham vape shop has been issued with a second three-month closure order at Swindon Magistrates Court, following the sales of illegal tobacco.
The order was granted on Friday 28th March under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act after a closure notice was served by Wiltshire Council’s Trading Standards team, following a test purchase of illegal tobacco.
The shop at 7 Bank Street, Melksham, previously operating as Milksham Vape & Shop, was previously ordered to close for three months on 11th December 2024. The closure order was instigated following a number of complaints, several seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes, plus test purchases of illegal products.
Illegal tobacco and vapes were also seized from the business in November when Trading Standards officers visited with a tobacco detection dog and Wiltshire Police.
The initial closure order expired on 10th March 2025 and the business reopened, however when officers visited the premises on 22nd March, they were able to purchase two packets of counterfeit cigarettes.
Corporate Director of Place at Wiltshire Council, Parvis Khansari, said, “Our Trading Standards team is working very hard to tackle illegal sales in Wiltshire and this is an excellent result for the team, who have acted quickly to obtain another closure order for this business.
“It is concerning and very disappointing that despite already being served and complying with the original closure order, the business is still facilitating sales of illegal tobacco on the premises.”
A spokesperson for Wiltshire Council said, “Only those who are named habitual residents and authorised persons are now permitted to enter the address. Anyone else entering the premises is committing a criminal offence and on conviction, may be sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or a fine.”
