Three convenience stores in Wirral have been shut down for three months after being caught engaging in criminal behaviour, including the sale of counterfeit cigarettes and illegal vapes. Wirral Council's Trading Standards carried out test purchases that uncovered illicit products at each premises. The cases were heard at magistrates court on Thursday, June 25, bringing the total number of closure orders obtained by Trading Standards since last December to 19. The Liverpool ECHO understands that further orders are planned.
Kings Convenience Store, King Street, Wallasey
A test purchase in August revealed cigarettes with no UK duty paid being sold at the store. A subsequent inspection in December uncovered 3,220 counterfeit cigarettes hidden in a sophisticated concealment in a storeroom. Additionally, single-use vapes, which have been illegal to sell or supply since June 2025, were found under the counter. Magistrates deemed a three-month closure order proportionate and necessary due to the significant public nuisance caused by the store.
Rake Lane Local, 249 Rake Lane, Wallasey
In October, a test purchase resulted in the sale of a counterfeit packet of Lambert and Butler cigarettes. The following month, 2,860 counterfeit cigarettes and 0.7kg of hand-rolled tobacco were seized from the premises. When Trading Standards closed the shop earlier this month, they also found a small amount of genuine tobacco on open display, violating tobacco display legislation, and 30 bottles of soft drinks that did not comply with UK food labelling requirements. Magistrates imposed a three-month closure order.
Church Road Corner Shop, 223 Church Road, Tranmere
On two separate occasions in September, Trading Standards officers purchased Lambert and Butler Original Silver cigarettes for £5 each. An inspection in November led to the seizure of 960 counterfeit cigarettes. A further test purchase in May found Richmond cigarettes being sold for £5. When the site was closed this month, officers discovered 40 mixed soft drinks failing UK food labelling requirements and vape pods without mandatory health warnings. Magistrates again found a three-month closure necessary.
