Stourbridge service station closed for selling illegal vapes

Broadway Service Station in South Road, Norton, has been closed for three months after a court hearing at Walsall Magistrates Court on Tuesday July 11.

The court heard that following complaints the shop had been selling vapes to children - Dudley Council’s trading standards team carried out a test purchase on April 11 using a child volunteer who was sold a vape.

Inside the premises they found 3,000 illegal vapes.

Illegal vapes and cigarettes found at Stourbridge Mini Market (Image: Dudley Council)

Further sting operations, inspections and warrants were executed on the business, which resulted in large seizures of illegal vapes and tobacco, some of which had been stored in a vehicle and in two separate properties.

Despite enforcement action and warning letters being sent from the local authority, the business went on to sell alcohol to another child volunteer who was working with trading standards on June 19.

On July 10, the council served a 24-hour closure notice on the shop when more illegal vapes were found.

The shop, which is also known as Stourbridge Mini Market, was closed for three months by Walsall magistrates the following day.

The owners, who took over the shop in December, did not attend court to object to the closure.

Councillor Ian Bevan, the council’s cabinet member for public health, said: “This is an excellent result to have stopped this business from trading.

“Rogue businesses such as this one not only harm the health of the community but also undermine legitimate businesses and the local economy.”

He added: “This swift action taken by the trading standards team shows that we will do all we can to keep our community safe.”

Dudley Council’s trading standards officers are continuing their investigation, a spokesperson for the authority said.