Illicit tobacco offences see shop issued another three-month closure order

A local shop has been ordered to close for three months for a second time in less than a year after we successfully secured a closure order for the sale of illegal tobacco.

Popard Mini Market of 46 Barnsley Road in Goldthorpe (S63 9NE) was ordered to close for three months from Thursday 18 June at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court. The Court also ordered the leaseholder Hema Homes Limited to pay costs of £3,414.

The premises had previously been closed from August 2025 to November 2025 by a Court Order 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.

Under the Anti‑Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, local authorities can apply to the courts for closure orders where premises are associated with criminal activity and are causing a public nuisance. Closure orders are intended to prevent illegal activity from continuing or recurring.

By securing this closure order, we have taken firm action to prioritise public safety and prevent the sale of unregulated tobacco products within the borough.

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."

Anyone with information about the sale of illicit products in Barnsley, including illegal tobacco or vapes, is encouraged to contact the council’s Trading Standards team by emailing RegulatoryServices@barnsley.gov.uk or calling 01226 773 743.

Trading Standards officers are also available to support businesses in understanding and meeting their legal responsibilities. Business owners with questions about regulations can contact the team using the same details.