Two shops in Southsea have been forced to close for three months

​​​​​​​It’s after Trading Standards teams uncovered them persistently selling illegal tobacco and vapes.

Trading Standards found Albert Food Store’s recent owner conducting illegal activity on 11 separate occasions over two years. Investigators conducted eight undercover test purchases and three inspections, where £47,000 of illegal stock was seized.

A 48-hour Notice of Closure was issued to the business on 31 July 2024, and at a Magistrates’ Court hearing on 2 August, the court heard about the store’s long history of supplying counterfeit and smuggled tobacco products. Evidence heard how the business would hide the products in sophisticated concealments in the store and in vehicles parked nearby. The court also heard how the business intentionally concealed the individuals responsible, with the official owner changing hands frequently.

Persistent illegal activity was also found at Portsmouth General Market Store. Trading Standards uncovered offences on 11 separate occasions in just over a year. This included nine test purchases, one of which involved the sale of a vape to a child, and two inspections where £4,000 of illegal stock was seized.

A 48-hour Notice of Closure was issued on 31 July 2024, and at an adjourned court hearing on 14 August 2024, magistrates agreed that criminal behaviour had taken place.

Both Albert Food Store and Portsmouth General Market Store have been ordered by the court to close for three months.

It follows the successful closure of Kingston Mini Market, in North End, last year for similar illegal activity uncovered by Trading Standards, which is run by Portsmouth City Council.

City Council Leader Cllr Steve Pitt said: “Our Trading Standards team will continue to use all of the tools available to stop the supply of illegal tobacco products being sold to our residents. We estimate this recent intervention has prevented £90,000 of illegally gained money from reaching the hands of criminals, and stopped harmful products being used by adults and children.

“This should serve as a stark warning that we will take the same action against any business found selling counterfeit items and tobacco products to under-18s.”

The locks at both Southsea premises have been changed and anyone entering can be fined, or jailed for up to 51 months. After the three months, the council can apply for an extension to the closure if there is no evidence to suggest the business can open and operate legally.

• Residents can report businesses supplying illegal tobacco, cigarettes or vapes, including sales to under-18s, by emailing trading.standards@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. All information is treated in confidence.
• Find out more about illegal tobacco and watch the video at www.stop-illegal-tobacco.co.uk to understand the ‘real cost’ of cheap tobacco. You can also report businesses anonymously on the website or by calling 0300 999 6 999.
• The council’s wellbeing service provides free support to help Portsmouth residents to stop smoking. Visit www.wellbeingportsmouth.co.uk or call 023 9229 4001 to find out more.