- A fourth shop in Tamworth is closed for selling illegal tobacco products
- Illegal HMO above the shop closed at the same time
- Magistrates’ Court grants one-month shop closure to protect public safety and prevent further criminal activity
Tamworth Borough Council, working in close partnership with Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards and Staffordshire Police, have taken further decisive action to protect the public by securing a closure order on Glascote Express, 231a Glascote Road.
This latest action follows the closure of three other town centre premises in December 2025 and January 2026. These closures are part of ongoing efforts to tackle the sale of illegal and counterfeit tobacco products. The sale of counterfeit tobacco is unlawful and dangerous, and we will take firm action when businesses put people at risk.
An interim 48-hour closure notice was issued on Tuesday 24 March following the discovery of significant illegal cigarettes and tobacco products being sold from the premises. Entry is prohibited during the closure period to safeguard the public and prevent further illegal trading activity.
As part of the same investigation, additional enforcement action has been taken in relation to the residential accommodation above the premises. The upstairs property, being used as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), has also been prohibited due to being unsafe. The HMO had three bedrooms and three tenants, all of whom have been supported to find alternative accommodation. Both the commercial premises and the residential accommodation are linked to the same owner and manager.
On Thursday 26 March, Cannock Magistrates’ Court granted an extended closure order for a further one month, pending ongoing investigations. Closure notices have been served on the property owner Pav Akhtar and the business owner, Naseer Ahmad.
Stephen Gabriel, Chief Executive of Tamworth Borough Council said: “This latest action against a shop and an illegal HMO shows our continued commitment to tackling illegal trading and protecting the public from landlords who fail to operate their properties legally.
“By working closely with our partners at Staffordshire County Council and Staffordshire Police we are able to act swiftly, gather evidence and take strong action to protect people and disrupt criminal activity.
“All those living in the property now have alternative accommodation”
Mark Wilson, Trading Standards Business Manager at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This is a great result for the team in our efforts to tackle the sale of illegal goods in Staffordshire.
“By working in partnership with Tamworth Borough Council, we’ve been able to close yet another shop caught selling illicit and illegal goods. The sale of these products not only undermines legitimate businesses but poses serious health risks, especially to young people.”
This action demonstrates the ongoing work of the Tamworth Community Safety Partnership, bringing together Tamworth Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards, and Staffordshire Police to disrupt criminal activity, protect residents and keep the town centre safe.