Court orders closure of shop

The premises at 29 Murray Street – most recently named as Qwidz In but also previously known as Fill Up Superstore – has been made subject to a three-month Closure Order by Teesside Magistrates following an application by Hartlepool Borough Council’s Trading Standards Team.

A court hearing, held on Thursday 10th October, was told that two recent test purchases - each a week apart - had resulted in the sale of illicit cigarettes.

In between the test purchases, trading standards officers carried out an inspection of the premises and whilst there they observed customers being chased away from the entrance. This, said the officers, was presumably to prevent them requesting illegal products.

The premises at 29 Murray Street

The court was told that those running the shop did not keep their illicit products at the counter and instead adopted various methods to try and hide them. These included bringing illicit products from different premises on demand, storing products in hidden compartments and storing them in adjacent buildings.

The court was told that unless the Closure Order was granted the criminal behaviour would continue, causing even more nuisance for residents and businesses in the surrounding area.

The magistrates also heard that the sale of counterfeit, non-duty paid tobacco was to the detriment of people’s health and also adversely affected legitimate businesses operating within the law.

Councillor Karen Oliver, Chair of the Council’s Neighbourhood Services Committee, said: “It is important that we take action wherever possible to tackle such brazen criminality and I’d like to thank the Council’s Trading Standards Team for their excellent work in bringing this matter to court.

“I hope that the Closure Order sends out a clear message to those involved in the illicit sales of tobacco products that we are not prepared to tolerate their activities.

“We need to create a pride in our neighbourhoods and I would encourage local residents with information or concerns about such illegal sales to contact the Council or the police. It’s important that we all take a stand to counter criminal activity such as this.”

At the hearing, costs totalling £2,658.39 were awarded to the Council.

Whilst the Closure Order is in force, nobody is allowed access to the premises apart from officers of the local authority.

Anyone who witnesses the order being breached should call Cleveland Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.