Gold Mini Market on Taff Street, Pontypridd, has been boarded up and must remain closed for three months after trading standards officers made ten successful test purchases of cheaper non-compliant cigarettes during an investigation. The closure order was granted at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on May 28, 2026, under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
Investigation and Enforcement
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Trading Standards team had been monitoring the shop since April 2025, carrying out inspections and test purchases. During an earlier inspection, officers seized nearly 100 illegal high-capacity vapes. Multiple complaints from the public regarding the sale of illegal tobacco at the site had also been received.
The business received extensive advice, warnings, and a formal cease-and-desist letter but continued to supply illegal tobacco products. Evidence suggested that products were deliberately hidden within the shop, a common tactic to evade detection.
Impact and Official Response
The shop is now boarded up and must stay closed for three months. Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: "I hope this closure sends a clear message that illegal tobacco will not be tolerated in Rhondda Cynon Taf. This premises was subject to repeated enforcement activity over a sustained period, and despite clear warnings and intervention, continued to break the law."
He added: "Illegal tobacco not only undermines legitimate businesses, but it is often linked to wider criminal activity and avoids important safety regulations – meaning people don’t know what they are buying. Our Trading Standards team will continue to work tirelessly with partners to clamp down on illegal trading and protect our communities."
