Court grants closure order against Speke Mini Mart after persistent illicit tobacco sales

Liverpool City Council has secured a closure order against Speke Mini Mart.

The order was granted against the premises, at 125 Alderwood Avenue, after extensive evidence showed the premises was repeatedly involved in the sale of illicit cigarettes and tobacco, despite multiple warnings and enforcement visits.

The council’s Public Protection Team, working closely with Merseyside Police and the Council’s Community Safety Team, built a detailed case demonstrating ongoing criminality linked to the shop.

Over the course of a year, officers carried out numerous undercover test purchases, each time being sold counterfeit or non duty paid cigarettes. Staff routinely retrieved the illegal products from a concealed back area, even after receiving four written warnings and verbal advice.

A major breakthrough came during a joint day of action with Merseyside Police. Officers searched the flat directly above the shop and uncovered large bags of illicit cigarettes and tobacco, along with piles of empty counterfeit packaging.

Inside the flat there was a large bag of illicit cigarettes and tobacco on the floor and more on the sofa.The flat was displaying the CCTV cameras from Speke Mini Mart.

The setup made clear that the flat was being used as a storage and monitoring hub for the illegal trade, with staff watching the shop’s CCTV on a giant screen while keeping illicit stock hidden upstairs.

In total, thousands of illegal cigarettes (pictured above) and multiple pouches of counterfeit tobacco were seized, with an estimated retail value of more than £1,600.

Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health, said: “Our Community Safety Team has been working intensively in the Alderwood Avenue area to tackle anti social behaviour.

“Local residents have told officers they feel unsafe walking past the shop at night due to gangs congregating outside, and many believed the sale of illegal cigarettes was contributing to the problem.

“The Closure Order will now prevent access to the premises until 4pm on 12 June 2026, helping to protect the community, reduce ASB, and support legitimate local businesses.”

• If you have information about premises selling illicit cigarettes, tobacco or vapes, you can report it anonymously via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 or online at www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer