Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council has called on the Government to give courts tougher powers to permanently close premises repeatedly linked to serious criminal activity. The authority is campaigning to drive rogue traders out of town centres.
Full Council has backed a motion calling for stronger enforcement powers to tackle businesses selling illegal tobacco, illicit vapes and counterfeit goods. The motion specifically seeks discretionary permanent closure orders for the most persistent offenders.
Recent enforcement action
The move follows successful enforcement action by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, working alongside Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards. The authorities secured three-month court closure orders against Simba's on Newcastle High Street and Cobra Vape Shop during summer 2026.
However, existing legislation limits closure orders to three months, with a possible further three-month extension. This means premises can eventually reopen, sometimes under a different trading name, despite previous enforcement action.
Council's demands
Council Leader Jonathan Gullis, who proposed the motion, said: "Our town centres should be places where families feel safe, children are protected and hardworking businesses can thrive, not a playground for rogue traders flogging illegal cigarettes, illicit vapes and counterfeit goods.
"But the law must go further. Rogue operators should not be able to wait out a temporary closure, change the sign above the door and simply start all over again. Changing your shop's name should not wipe the slate clean."
The motion welcomes Government proposals to increase the maximum duration of closure orders to 12 months but argues that further legislative changes are necessary.
The council is seeking magistrates to have discretion to order the permanent closure of premises persistently or seriously used for criminal activity, where such action is considered necessary and proportionate.
Councillors are also seeking the introduction of a commercial landlord accountability scheme, modelled on existing powers relating to rogue residential landlords, to deter property owners from repeatedly letting premises to businesses subsequently subject to closure orders.
Further proposed reforms include allowing county council Trading Standards teams in two-tier local authority areas, such as Staffordshire, to exercise closure notice and closure order powers directly. The motion also asks ministers to make criminal behaviour taking place on premises an explicit ground for issuing an initial closure notice, allowing enforcement agencies to act at an earlier stage.
Council Leader Gullis will write on behalf of the authority to the Home Office as part of the Closed for Good campaign.