Conwy Council Trading Standards has secured a three-month closure of a Llandudno shop after officers uncovered illegal tobacco, hidden storage areas and allegations of sales to children.
Enforcement follows repeated complaints and inspections
Inspectors visited Easy Shop at 42 Madoc Street, Llandudno on Wednesday as part of a county-wide operation targeting illicit tobacco and vapes. The visit followed numerous complaints and earlier enforcement visits to the premises, the council said.
Officers reported discovering what they described as "false walls" and a nearby vehicle used as a "stash car", alongside seizures of unauthorised tobacco products. On the latest inspection a quantity of illegal tobacco was seized and a closure notice was issued under Section 76 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.
“Those businesses who supply illegal tobacco and vapes are harmful to legitimate local businesses and are not welcome in Conwy,” said Cllr Stephen Price, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Regulatory and Audit.
On Thursday, Llandudno Magistrates’ Court granted a Closure Order requiring the premises to remain shut for a period of three months. The council emphasised the public health risks posed by unregulated products, and the impact on legitimate traders in the town centre.
- Premises: Easy Shop, 42 Madoc Street, Llandudno
- Action: Closure Order under Section 76
- Duration: 3 months
Public health and local trade concerns
Conwy’s Trading Standards warned that easy access to cheap, illegal tobacco increases the chances of children acquiring a lifelong addiction. A council spokesperson added that unregulated vapes and tobacco products may contain far higher nicotine levels and harmful contaminants.
Local traders have repeatedly raised concerns about the unfair competition presented by outlets selling untaxed or illicit products, which can undercut legitimate businesses that pay business rates, follow age-verification laws and comply with safety standards. The council framed the closure as part of a wider commitment to protect both public health and the town’s lawful economy.
| Issue | Council response |
|---|---|
| Illegal tobacco and vapes | Seizure of stock, closure notice, Closure Order at court |
| Hidden storage/false walls and stash car | Documented by Trading Standards during inspection |
| Alleged sales to children | Raised in complaints; cited as part of the enforcement rationale |
Conwy’s cabinet member for the area reiterated that the council will use “the full force of the law” against anyone operating, renting or knowingly allowing properties to be used for the supply of illegal tobacco and vapes. He also praised the dedication of the Trading Standards team, saying without their work the operation would have continued.
For Llandudno residents the closure brings immediate changes on Madoc Street: the premises must remain shut for three months while further legal and regulatory processes take their course. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing enforcement activity across the county aimed at tackling a trade that brings health risks and damages local businesses.
Conwy Council is urging anyone with information about the supply of illicit tobacco or vapes to co-operate with Trading Standards. The council’s statement highlighted the dangers of unregulated products and the potential long-term consequences for young people who gain access to cheap nicotine sources.
The closure order is the latest in a series of operations across Conwy targeting the sale and distribution of illegal tobacco and vaping products. Trading Standards teams in the area have continued to focus on these offences as part of broader efforts to protect consumers and legitimate traders.
