Between May 2024 and March 2025, Dudley Council’s trading standards team undertook an intensive campaign resulting in the closure of 19 retail outlets found to be selling illegal tobacco, cigarettes, disposable vapes, and other drugs. This represents the highest number of closures carried out by a single trading standards team in the UK during a single financial year.
The operation, which included several sting operations conducted in the spring and summer of 2024, targeted shops across the Dudley borough, including locations in Stourbridge, Quarry Bank, Brierley Hill, Netherton, and Coseley. Notably, High Street Mini Market in Brierley Hill and Halesowen Mini Market on Peckingham Street were closed following court-ordered closure orders from Dudley Magistrates Court, and they remain shut.
Investigations revealed that many of these outlets were operated by organised crime groups involved in the sale of illegal and age-restricted products to children. Additional concerns were raised regarding modern slavery and people trafficking linked to the groups managing these shops.
Landlords cooperated with authorities by evicting tenants engaged in criminal activities, supported by the council’s trading standards team. Councillor James Clinton, cabinet member for public health, emphasised the council’s commitment to protecting the public and legitimate local businesses. Speaking to Talking Retail, he said: “Unfortunately, there are organised crime groups who wish to sell illegal goods and age restricted products to children, but we are determined to protect the public and safeguard our borough’s legitimate businesses.
“The trend of illegal pop-up shops has sadly become a national issue, but Dudley’s trading standards has streamlined enforcement action and we’re helping landlords to understand the checks they can make to secure law abiding tenants in the future.
“Organised crime groups are beginning to run out of vacant premises to move to in our borough, with some only staying in business for a couple of weeks before we shut them down.”
This concerted effort by Dudley Council reflects a comprehensive approach to tackling illegal trade and associated criminal activities within the community, involving coordinated enforcement, judicial measures, and landlord engagement.
Source: Noah Wire Services