Closure Orders issued on three shops as crackdown continues
Three retail businesses have been ordered to close for three months as Wirral Trading Standards continues its crackdown on the illegal sale of tobacco and vaping products.
The closure orders were granted at Wirral Magistrates' Court under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and apply to:
• Liscard Shop and Vap, 2 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH45 4LA
• C and A Convenience Store, 35 Seaview Road, Wallasey, CH45 4QN
• 7 Days, 582 Old Chester Road, Birkenhead, CH42 4NW
They represent the 21st, 22nd and 23rd closure orders secured by Wirral Trading Standards since December 2025.
Our Trading Standards team continues to take robust action against anyone involved in the illegal sale of tobacco and vapes. We are determined to quash all businesses who undermine tobacco control efforts.
Illicit tobaccos and vapes can carry extra health and safety risks, as well as posing environmental risks and are often linked to wider organised crime.
Some traders will go to great lengths to ignore the law and put profit before public health and the environment.
The illegal sale of tobacco and disposable vapes particularly affects young people, who are more likely to be drawn to cheap, brightly packaged and unregulated products.
This operation is an excellent example of a multi-agency approach to address crime. This includes immigration, HMRC, police and trading standards officers. It is a credit to them all. We want our high streets to be free from organised crime.
Liscard Shop and Vap
Officers launched an investigation following complaints from members of the public and a test purchase of counterfeit cigarettes.
During an inspection in July, officers discovered 15 packets of illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and 0.2kg of hand-rolling tobacco concealed inside a bin bag within the shop.
Following the arrival of police officers, a vehicle key found inside the shop led officers to a nearby vehicle registered to, where 4,880 illicit cigarette sticks and 2.7kg of hand-rolling tobacco were discovered.
As a result of court proceedings, Wirral Council secured a three-month closure order against Liscard Shop and Vap.
A forfeiture and destruction order was also issued in respect of the illicit tobacco recovered.
Aram Anwar Darwesh is the food business operator and self-purported owner of the business, while the vehicle the goods were seized from was registered to Sharwan Faxi Omar.
At C and A Convenience Store
A test purchase of illegal cigarettes led to an inspection in July. Officers seized 9,180 cigarette sticks and 4.45kg of hand-rolling tobacco concealed within a remote-controlled hydraulic hiding place.
A follow-up inspection in August found tobacco products openly displayed and a mandatory under-18s warning notice obscured and not displayed in the required format.
A closure notice was subsequently served and was not contested in court by owner Shahreyar Hassani, who admitted the incident was a “big mistake”.
7 Days
A test purchase of counterfeit and illicit cigarettes in June prompted an inspection the following month.
During the visit, officers recovered a vehicle key from a member of staff which led them to a car containing 2,680 counterfeit cigarette sticks and 1.45kg of hand-rolling tobacco.
When officers returned to serve a closure notice and carry out a further inspection in August, an employee attempted to conceal a vehicle key. It led officers to a vehicle containing a further 1,760 illegal cigarette sticks and 0.8kg of hand-rolling tobacco.
Nahro Khezri, the sole owner of the business and tenant of the commercial premises, did not contest the closure order.
These Closure Orders are further examples of the close partnership working happening on daily basis, to tackle issues causing harm in our communities.
As convenience vape shops become increasingly popular, we and our partners identify and investigate businesses suspected of breaching licensing conditions by selling illegal vapes, counterfeit cigarettes, and unregulated food and drink, risking the health of adults and young people.
We are concerned about the increasing number of young people taking up vaping. These products must be properly regulated and clearly labelled in English, so consumers can make informed decisions and young people are not put at risk. Where there is no label and products are unregulated, customers cannot be sure what harmful substances and chemicals could be in the cigarettes and vapes.
The information and reports we receive from the public play a vital role in helping us take such action. I would encourage anyone with information about criminal activity in their area to continue sharing it.
Anyone with information about the illegal sale of tobacco or vaping products is encouraged to report it anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
