A GOLDTHORPE shop has been ordered to close for the SECOND time in less than a year.

Popard Mini Market, on Barnsley Road, has been ordered to close for three months following a closure order which was issued at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

The court also ordered the leaseholder Hema Homes Limited to pay costs of £3,414.

It is the second time the shop has been closed in the past 12 months.

It was previously told to close its doors from August to November last year in relation to the sale of illegal tobacco, illegal vapes, illegal food and sale of vapes to children.

However, the criminality did not stop when the shop re-opened with evidence and intelligence gathered about the continued sale of illegal tobacco and the employment of an illegal worker to transport the products to the premises.

Other offences included operating a business without notifying the relevant Rating Department and operating a food business without registering with the relevant Food Authority.

Matt O’Neill, executive director for place, said: “This is another demonstration of our strong commitment to tackling the sale of illegal tobacco in Barnsley by taking decisive action to keep our residents safe.

“All tobacco comes with serious health risks, but illegal and unregulated products can contain higher levels of harmful substances which make them even more dangerous to people’s health.

“They are often sold cheaply and without health warnings, making them more accessible and appealing.

“I’d like to thank our legal services and Trading Standards teams as well as our partners at South Yorkshire Police for working together to close this illegal business, which was causing nuisance, bringing the area into disrepute and damaging businesses trading legally.

“This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal trading in Barnsley, and we will make sure that businesses that fail to comply with the law are held accountable.”