Solihull Council was granted a closure order by Birmingham Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday 29 October) on Khyber Shop 20, Bradford Road, Castle Bromwich, after the business sold illegal tobacco and vapes.
The closure order was granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014. It follows several operations that were carried out by staff at Solihull Council’s Regulatory Services Team in response to earlier complaints made to the Council regarding the sale of illegal goods. The team seized 1560 packets of illegal cigarettes, 79 packets of hand rolling tobacco and 1219 illegal vapes, as well as further illegal tobacco, cigarettes and vapes found at another visit.
The closure order prohibits anyone, with the exception of those named on the order, the owner, or the Emergency Services - from remaining in, returning to, or entering the premises until 29 January 2026, effectively closing the shop to customers until this period. Anyone that breaches the order commits an offence and can be arrested. If found guilty of an offence they are liable to imprisonment and/or a fine.
Solihull Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Wazma Qais, said: “Selling illegal tobacco and vapes pose a serious health risk to our communities. These illegal tobacco products usually contain high levels of nicotine and tar, as well as other unknown and unregulated substances. It is therefore right and proper that businesses that ignore the law and sell these dangerous and illegal products face the consequences.
“I would like to thank the Council’s Regulatory Services Team for their continued work to ensure businesses operating in Solihull comply with their legal obligations, and for following up this complaint successfully. The complaints made to the Council, and the team’s actions have ensured that these harmful products will not be sold.
“If you have any trading standards concerns, please report them to Citizens Advice."
Residents who are concerned about a business selling illegal and dangerous products can report them to Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 or visit Citizens Advice who will then forward the complaint to the right Council team.