Shops handed closure orders in crackdown across Cheshire
7 July 2026
Shops have been closed down in Cheshire East as part of a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes.
Successful applications for closures orders were made for premises in Crewe, Nantwich, Warrington and Macclesfield last week.
The shops in Crewe and Nantwich included:
- Top Gee, Nantwich Road, Crewe;
- Bob Shop, Nantwich Road, Crewe;
- Liam Grocery Store, Nantwich Road, Crewe; and
- Friendly Mart, High Street, Nantwich.
Closures orders for the four establishments were granted for a period of three months, thanks to work by Cheshire police and Cheshire East Council's trading standards team.
There was evidence of anti-social behaviour and failure to adhere to age limit restrictions when selling items.
Macclesfield Mini Mart, in Mill Street, Macclesfield, was also closed for a period of three months. This was a joint action by Cheshire police's protecting vulnerable people and exploitation team, local beat officers and Cheshire East Council's trading standards team.
The closure was granted due to underage vape sales, illicit tobacco sales and anti-social behaviour.
A total of three shops in Warrington were also shut down as part of the crackdown.
Councillor Dawn Clark, Cheshire East Council cabinet member for finance, legal and enforcement, said: “These raids and closure orders send out a clear message that we are an enforcing council and we will continue to tackle head on the scourge of illicit tobacco and vapes – as well as underage tobacco sales – working effectively with our partners. Anti-social and unlawful outlets in Cheshire East should know that we will not stand by and watch while they act illegally.
“The sale of Illicit tobacco and vapes has proven links to organised crime and the sale of these products is known to contribute to human trafficking and other criminality. Illicit tobacco also undermines efforts of our health teams and NHS partners to reduce the number of people smoking and encourages children to take up smoking, which negatively impacts their long-term health.
“I would urge people to report the sale of illegal tobacco and single-use vapes in Cheshire East by calling the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 2231133 or start a Live Chat on our website.”
Chief Superintendent Saf Ali, of Cheshire police, said: “This is a great example of the action we will take on retailers who repeatedly offend and I hope this sends a clear message that illegal tobacco and vape products have no place in Cheshire’s shops.
“Working alongside our partners, we gathered evidence against these premises and the closure orders are now in place for three months after being granted by the courts.
“We will continue to tackle anti-social behaviour and the supply of illicit products to keep residents across Cheshire safe.”