Birkenhead Bargains, a shop on Grange Road in Birkenhead town centre, has been shut down for three months after illegal cigarettes and counterfeit toys were uncovered by officers. The closure order is the 27th secured by Wirral Council since December 2025.
Court order under anti-social behaviour legislation
The shop was ordered to close under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 following action taken by Wirral Council's Trading Standards and legal services teams. The action followed concerns raised on social media about the shop displaying BB guns alongside balaclavas amid ongoing anti-social behaviour issues being tackled by Merseyside Police.
On October 6, police officers and Trading Standards visited the shop and found 1,340 illegal cigarette sticks, 0.6kg of illegal hand-rolling tobacco, 91 suspected counterfeit Pop Mart dolls that also failed to comply with toy safety regulations, a large quantity of fidget and spinning toys and suspected counterfeit squishy toys that did not meet toy safety requirements.
Multiple safety and labelling breaches
The shop was found to be selling a range of age-restricted products, including tobacco, vapes, BB guns, knives, bladed articles and butane gas, without having any effective measures in place to prevent sales to under-18s. Food products without the required UK food labelling information were also found on site. It was also discovered the business had failed to register as a Food Business Operator.
Further breaches included products that failed to comply with General Product Safety Regulations, the absence of mandatory tobacco and business identification notices, and inadequate CCTV retention. In addition, officers discovered the main fire escape was completely blocked by combustible materials and padlocked shut. The matter was referred to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service.
Council and police response
Cllr Jenny Johnson, chair of the council’s tourism, communities, culture and leisure committee, said: "This case is a clear example of the important role the public can play to help tackle anti-social behaviour. It is significant that the court agreed activities at the premises were contributing to anti-social behaviour. Such criminal activity is not welcome in Wirral and will not be tolerated."
Wirral neighbourhood inspector Nicola Hughes said: "Most retailers across Merseyside operate legally and responsibly, but where businesses are found to be selling illegal tobacco, suspected counterfeit goods or failing to comply with the law, we will work with our partners to take action."
Anyone with information about illegal activity can report it anonymously using Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
