A Coventry city centre retail outlet has been forced to shut its doors permanently after repeatedly being discovered selling contraband tobacco, vaping devices, and unsafe children’s products.
Spon Mini Market, situated on Spon Street in the heart of Coventry, has received a court-mandated three-month shutdown order.
The enforcement action follows an extensive probe by Trading Standards Officers, who repeatedly uncovered substantial quantities of unlawful cigarettes, hand-rolling tobacco, and e-cigarettes being sold at the location alongside ongoing distribution of these prohibited items.
The Council’s Trading Standards and Legal departments sought a Closure Order from the Magistrates Court, which was awarded under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 at Leamington Magistrates Court on 20 May 2026.
Cllr John McNicholas, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Cohesion, said this shutdown represents a positive outcome for residents and for businesses operating within the law. The Council’s Trading Standards Team is collaborating extensively with West Midlands Police and additional partner agencies to enhance neighbourhoods and combat commercial criminality, and this closure delivers a clear warning to retailers engaged in selling illegal merchandise.
Coventry Trading Standards will utilise all statutory powers available to safeguard the local community and legitimate enterprises. Anyone with concerns or intelligence regarding the sale of counterfeit goods can contact the department in confidence.
Products on the premises included items with small components presenting a choking risk to children, along with goods that had not been tested to required safety levels. All tobacco products discovered on the premises were confirmed as counterfeit with duty unpaid.
Inspectors made repeated efforts to assist various operators of the business to achieve compliance but guidance and cautions went unheeded. Legal costs of £3,616.94 have been awarded to the council, to be divided between the business operators, property owners, and representatives of the premises.
The establishment must remain completely shuttered for three months, until midnight on 20 August 2026. During this period nobody may enter or remain on the property while the Closure Orders remain active. Those breaching the Order could face custody, financial penalties, or both.
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said the illegal tobacco market is controlled by organised criminal networks and creates significant dangers for local communities, particularly young people. Since its inception in January 2021, Operation CeCe – a National Trading Standards programme working alongside HMRC – has taken 69 million illegal cigarettes, 19,750kg of hand-rolling tobacco and almost 175kg of shisha products off the market, helping to suppress this unlawful commerce and protect communities and legitimate businesses throughout the UK.