Damning issues were found following a multi-year probe from Liverpool City CouncilWoolton Convenience Store on Woolton Street(Image: Merseyside Police)A shop has been temporarily shut down after an investigation found it was selling fake cigarettes to school children. Back in March, the ECHO reported that the South Liverpool Neighbourhood Policing Team had joined forces with Trading Standards for a targeted operation in Woolton Village and along Allerton Road.Police said the operation was to target counterfeit goods. During this, officers visited Woolton Convenience Store on Woolton Street where an employee tried to hide his car key behind bags of crisps inside the shop. After searching his car, officers uncovered counterfeit cigarettes concealed in the boot.Last week, the ECHO was contacted by one resident who said that the shop had been closed, with a notice placed on the front door by the council.They said: “It’s a real concern as they are great for sending and receiving packages for different carriers but the other stuff seems to get in the way.“Sadly we use them as pickup and sending for different carriers as they support those for sending/receiving packages. We have packages inside the shop and ones being attempted for delivery but the carriers can’t access. We cannot pick up either.“I heard this morning that they may be closed for three months, but I’m not sure if that’s true.”This closure has been confirmed by Liverpool City Council. A spokesperson told the ECHO the shop was issued a three-month closure order on Thursday May 7. This was granted by the courts, and the evidence was uncontested by the owner of the premises.Woolton Convenience Store had originally been issued a three-month closure order in February 2024 for the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes. Since then, a number of offences have been reported, which the ECHO can now reveal.One of these came in June 2024, when intel was received from a police officer stating the shop was selling vapes to people who were underage.The shop was sent a guidance letter the same day reminding them of their obligations and that they would be subject to underage test purchase.In October 2024, intel was received that the premises was selling illicit cigarettes and vapes, and selling these to children. In the same month, a report from a member of the public said they asked the staff in the shop to call the police after kids were throwing fireworks outside and one nearly hit her, but the staff member refused.The next month, council officers visited the shop with the police to discuss this incident. A search of the shop found 200 illicit cigarettes in a hidden concealment.Further information was received in June and July 2025, which also said the shop was selling illicit cigarettes and vapes to children. In September 2025, a staff member sold a vape to a 15 year-old volunteer in an underage test purchase.Another undercover test purchase took place two months later, where £6 cigarettes were sold from under the counter.A warning letter was sent to the owner in January 2026. More information the following month said the shop was selling cigarettes which “burn your throat”.In March 2026, further information claimed the fake cigarettes were being kept in a car. It was also claimed staff would sell them to children in school uniform if there were no adults in the shop.When the closure notice was issued, more illicit cigarettes were found in a car parked near the shop.The council spokesperson added the owner of Woolton Convenience Store was granted access at the end of last week to collect parcels that were already in the shop. They were going to arrange with the parcel companies for them to go to another distribution hub.
Shop shut down after children repeatedly sold vapes and cigarettes
