Liverpool shops shut down after hidden tobacco walls found in Candy store
Liverpool Magistrates’ Court has issued a landmark six-month closure order against a County Road business, marking the longest enforcement period of its kind in the city’s history. The ruling follows the discovery of sophisticated hidden compartments used to store illicit tobacco products, signaling a significant escalation in local enforcement against the illegal trade of nicotine and counterfeit goods.
Record six-month closure for County Road sweet shop
American Candy, located on County Road, was originally ordered to close in February after repeated instances of selling illicit tobacco. During a follow-up hearing on Wednesday, April 29, the court extended this closure for an additional three months, bringing the total period to half a year. This extension represents the first time such a lengthy order has been granted within Liverpool.
The initial investigation by the Liverpool City Council public protection team revealed a large, purpose-built concealment hidden within the shop’s walls. During court proceedings, the owner admitted to paying builders to construct the secret compartment, claiming the business was not financially viable by selling sweets alone. The presiding judge noted the deliberate nature of the concealment as a primary factor in the decision to keep the premises closed until late summer. In addition to the closure, the owner was ordered to pay £1,529 in legal costs to the council.
Concealed cupboards and illegal Viagra found in Prescot Road raids
The enforcement wave continued on Thursday, April 30, when Sefton Magistrates’ Court issued a separate closure order for Aden News on Prescot Road. Enforcement officers discovered illicit cigarettes stored inside a concealed cupboard designed to evade routine inspections. The court mandated that the store must remain closed for three months to disrupt the criminal activity linked to the site.
A third business, Pilch Lane News in Dovecot, was also shuttered following a successful court application on Tuesday, May 6. During the raid at this location, officials seized a variety of prohibited items, including unregulated vapes, counterfeit cigarettes, and Viagra products. The store is now prohibited from trading until the beginning of August.
Enforcement action targets underage vape sales in Dovecot
Beyond the sale of illicit goods, Pilch Lane News was found to be selling nicotine products to minors. A test purchase operation confirmed that vapes were being sold to children, leading to further scrutiny of the business’s operating practices. This discovery highlights an increasing focus by local authorities on the intersection of illicit trade and the protection of young people from unregulated nicotine products.
Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, stated that the city is intensifying efforts to identify shops distributing illicit products or selling to minors. The use of closure orders is being utilized as a vital tool to disrupt criminal networks that undermine legitimate local businesses and pose a direct threat to community safety.
Public health risks of unregulated tobacco and nicotine products
Health officials have warned that unregulated vapes, cigarettes, and tobacco often contain banned ingredients or higher-than-permitted levels of heavy metals and chemicals. These products do not undergo the rigorous safety testing required for legal sale in the UK, making them a serious health risk to consumers. The presence of counterfeit Viagra further complicates the risk profile of these establishments, as such medications require professional oversight and regulated supply chains.
Liverpool City Council continues to encourage residents to report shops suspected of selling illicit goods through their official website or via Crimestoppers. The ongoing crackdown serves as a reminder to all businesses that the use of hidden concealments and the sale of counterfeit products will result in firm legal action and extended periods of forced closure.
Source: Liverpool City Council
