A shop in Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre has been closed for three months following a court order obtained by Newcastle Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards team.
Simba's, located at 17 High Street, was found to be selling illegal tobacco and vapes, and staff sold tobacco products to underage test purchasers.
Magistrates at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard evidence of the illegal activity. The three-month closure, which runs until mid-October 2026, is the maximum period allowed under the court order.
Council action
Vanessa Renshaw, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council Cabinet member for Housing and Public Protection, said the closure sends a clear message about criminal activity in the town centre.
The council stated it intends to use the case as a blueprint to target other suspicious premises across Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Wider enforcement effort
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, described the closure as part of broader work to tackle economic crime and protect communities. He noted that illegal tobacco and non-compliant vapes pose serious risks to consumers, particularly young people, and are often linked to wider unlawful activity.
What happens next
When the shop is permitted to reopen after mid-October, it will remain subject to further unannounced inspections and test purchases.