Melksham business served with second closure order

A Melksham vape shop has been issued with a second three-month closure order at Swindon Magistrates Court today (Friday 28 March), following the sales of illegal tobacco.

The order was granted under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act after a closure notice was served by Wiltshire Council's Trading Standards team, following a test purchase of illegal tobacco.

7 Bank Street, Melksham, previously operating as Milksham* Vape & Shop, was previously ordered to close for three months on 11 December 2024. The closure order was instigated following a number of complaints, several seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes, plus test purchases of illegal products. Illegal tobacco and vapes were also seized from the business in November when Trading Standards officers visited with a tobacco detection dog and Wiltshire Police.

The initial closure order expired on 10 March 2025 and the business reopened, however when officers visited the premises on 22 March, they were able to purchase two packets of counterfeit cigarettes.

Parvis Khansari, Corporate Director Place at Wiltshire Council, said: "Our Trading Standards team is working very hard to tackle illegal sales in Wiltshire and this is an excellent result for the team, who have acted quickly to obtain another closure order for this business.

"It is concerning and very disappointing that despite already being served and complying with the original closure order, the business is still facilitating sales of illegal tobacco on the premises."

Only those who are named habitual residents and authorised persons are now permitted to enter the address. Anyone else entering the premises is committing a criminal offence and on conviction may be sentenced to 51 weeks imprisonment and/or a fine.