A SHOP has been issued with a three-month closure order after a year-long investigation revealed an array of criminal offences - including the discovery of more than 200,000 illegal cigarettes.
Lidia Mini Market, based on Sheffield Road near the town centre, was ordered to close after a decision was made at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Under the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities have the power to ask courts to issue closure orders to businesses considered to be causing a nuisance to the public, helping to prevent these activities from continuing or recurring.
It comes following the investigation and repeated visits to the business to ensure they were complying with the correct legislation.
The council’s Trading Standards team first visited the site in October 2024 and since then more than 220,000 illegal cigarettes and tobacco products were seized and recovered by the police and council officers.
On July 7, the shop was forced to be temporarily closed after a storage facility linked to the site was found to have 98,000 cigarettes and 24 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco.
Illegal vapes were also taken from the site, as were disposable vapes which were still being sold despite a ban being in place from June this year.
The council had issued improvement notices to the shop but these were not adhered to.
The Chronicle has also learned that immigration staff visited the store and on two occasions - in September and November - identified illegal workers and subsequently reported them for a penalty.
Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “Our teams are committed to protecting Barnsley residents from harm, whether that be through tackling the sale of unsafe food, illegal tobacco products or counterfeit goods.
“Businesses have a legal duty to make sure the products they sell are safe and comply with the right legislation, such as health warnings on cigarettes and allergy information on food.
“Failing to do so not only puts the public at risk but also undermines legitimate traders.”
Coun Janine Moyes, who represents the Central ward, told the Chronicle: “Whilst as Central ward councillors we do every we can to support local businesses, illegal activity, evidence of which Barnsley Council have accrued regarding this supermarket, will never be accepted.”
Barnsley Council has worked alongside South Yorkshire Police in a bid to crack down on stores who sell illegal goods over recent months.
Yesterday’s closure follows the shutting of Hoyland Mini Market after police and Trading Standards found a large stash of counterfeit cigarettes and vapes hidden behind a false wall during Operation Duxford.
JD Mini Market, in Goldthorpe, was also issued a three-month closure order in August after intelligence suggested that the business was also selling age-restricted vapes to children.
South Yorkshire Police supported the council and a 16-year-old cadet volunteered to show that the shop was also selling age-restricted vapes to children.
Coun Cain added that the council will continue to clamp down on those breaking the law.
She said: “We’re here to support businesses to comply with laws and regulations, but this case sends a clear message that illegal trading will not be tolerated, and we will take action.
“I would like to thank our trading standards and legal services teams as well as South Yorkshire Police for all their hard work on this case to protect our communities.”
