Nottingham shops closed over illegal tobacco and vapes: what residents need to know

Two Nottingham shops have been ordered to close for three months after repeated illegal tobacco and vape sales were uncovered by Trading Standards officers and police.

Grab & Go, on Sneinton Road, and All In One, on Nuthall Road in Basford, were both made subject to closure orders by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court. The orders were granted on 15 May 2026 under section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

Nottingham City Council Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police said the action followed joint investigations into the sale and distribution of illicit tobacco and non-compliant vaping products.

Shops named in the closure orders

The closure orders affect two convenience stores in different parts of the city: Grab & Go on Sneinton Road and All In One on Nuthall Road, Basford.

For nearby residents, the immediate effect is straightforward: both premises must remain shut for the three-month period set by the court. Closure orders of this kind are used when authorities argue that activity linked to a premises is causing, or is likely to cause, nuisance, disorder or harm in the local area.

The Nottingham cases also place the city alongside other parts of England where courts have been asked to shut shops after illegal tobacco and vape investigations. Similar enforcement has been reported in cases involving tobacco raids at Chester shops and hidden tobacco sales in Liverpool.

Illegal sales found during test purchases

The investigation into Grab & Go began in January 2025 after intelligence suggested the Sneinton Road store was involved in selling illegal tobacco and vaping products.

During visits to the premises, officers seized illegal cigarettes, non-duty paid tobacco and non-compliant vapes. A 35-year-old man later received a police caution for selling 87 packets of illegal cigarettes and tobacco.

Trading Standards officers then carried out undercover purchases. According to the council, illegal cigarettes were bought from the store twice at prices significantly below legitimate retail value. A further enforcement visit in April 2026 led to more illegal tobacco products being seized.

That evidence prompted Nottinghamshire Police to apply for a closure order, which was granted by magistrates on 15 May.

At All In One in Basford, officers found illegal tobacco and vaping products being sold on multiple occasions between September 2025 and April 2026. Enforcement activity at the premises found illegal cigarettes hidden outside the store, followed by successful test purchases in which illegal tobacco products were sold to Trading Standards officers.

Public health and local traders

Nottingham City Council said illegal tobacco and vapes create risks for residents, particularly young people, because products may be unregulated, cheaper and easier to access than legal products sold through compliant retailers.

Councillor Matt Shannon, Executive Member for Community Protection, Neighbourhoods and Equalities at Nottingham City Council, said the orders showed that illegal sales would not be tolerated in Nottingham.

He said the council’s Trading Standards team works with Nottinghamshire Police to investigate illegal activity, protect residents and support businesses that operate responsibly.

“Illegal tobacco and vapes undermine honest traders, dodge tax, and pose serious health risks, particularly for young people,” Councillor Shannon said.

Court powers used after repeated warnings

PC Dylan Scally, who oversaw the closure order applications, said premises involved in illicit cigarette sales showed “a blatant disregard for the law and local authority”.

He said the products undermined legitimate traders, evaded tax and put residents at risk. In these cases, he said both businesses had opportunities to stop the illegal activity but failed to do so.

Chief Inspector Kylie Davies, of Nottinghamshire Police, said illegal tobacco and vaping products posed real risks to public health because they were often unregulated and more accessible to children and young people.

“We will continue to use the full range of powers available to us to disrupt criminal activity and protect our communities,” she said.

Source: Nottingham City Council