MAGISTRATES have ordered a Grays vape shop to close for a month after Thurrock Trading Standards officers found illegal tobacco and vapes during an inspection.

Officers carried out the inspection at Shelby's, in Clarence Road, Grays, at the start of April after concerns were raised that the shop was selling tobacco and vaping products to underage children.

During their search, which was assisted by Billy the tobacco-detecting dog, officers found more than22,000 illegal cigarettes and more than 250 illegal vapes.

As well as the one month closure order the shop owner has had to give a legal undertaking to Chelmsford Magistrates Court promising not to sell illicit tobacco or vapes and not to allow underage sales at the premises. If they are found doing any of these things in the next 12 months they will be in contempt of court and face criminal charges. The shop was also ordered to pay more than £1,700 in costs.

This is the second time in less than 12 months that the shop has been found to be selling illegal and illicit products. In August 2024 the then owner of the shop was ordered to pay over £6,000 in fines and costs after illegal vapes and tobacco were found hidden in the wall and under the shop counter.

And last month Thurrock Nub News reported on action taken against another Vape Shop in Grays, the mellow Yellow Vape Shop.

Billy the tobacco detecting dog with illegal tobacco and vapes seized from Shelbys

Cllr Victoria Holloway, Cabinet Member for Place and the Environment, said: "Our Trading Standards officers took action after we had received complaints that Shelby's was selling to underage children and that illicit products sold by them had made their customers ill.

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"We will always take action to keep tobacco and vapes out of the hands of children. There is no excuse for selling illegal tobacco and vaping products or selling to children.

"I hope that this will serve as a warning to business across the borough. If you put your customers and our residents in danger we will find you and we will take action to stop you."

The action was part of the joint HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards initiative, Operation CeCe, which has been working to seize illicit tobacco since January 2021. 

If anyone has any information about the sale of illicit tobacco or illegal vapes from this premises or any others you can report it by calling 0808 223 1133 or through our website. 

Residents can also report underage tobacco or vape sales on the council website at thurrock.gov.uk/underage-sales