Trading Standards officers seized a quantity of illegal foreign cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco from the premises during an enforcement visit last November. The products were found concealed behind the counter and in cookers in a rear kitchen.

The panel also heard that the Council’s Trading Standards team had gathered evidence of suspected underage sales, illegal tobacco and vape products, and non-duty paid cigarettes before enforcement action was taken and goods were seized.

The store had previously received a breach of conditions letter in September 2024 after officers identified failures to comply with licence conditions.

Following consideration of the application, supporting representations from West Mercia Police and Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service, with all evidence presented, the Licensing Sub-Committee agreed to revoke the licence.

In agreeing to revoke the licence, the licensing sub-committee concluded that the matters brought before them were: ”significant and serious in nature involving criminal activity and failure to protect children from harm over an extended period of time.”

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services, Cllr Barry Durkin, said: 

“This kind of illegal activity has no place in Herefordshire. The sale of illicit tobacco and breaches of license conditions undermine the law, damage legitimate businesses and put our communities at risk.

I thank our Trading Standards and Licensing teams for their thorough work in bringing this matter forward. Where businesses fail to meet their legal responsibilities, we will not hesitate to take enforcement action. This decision sends a clear message: if you break the rules, we will act.”

Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Team takes an intelligence-led approach to all enforcement action. Members of the public can find out more and get information about how to report any concerns they have by clicking here.