- Closure on town centre shop extended after continued illegal tobacco sales uncovered
- Magistrates’ Court grants further three-month extension to protect public safety and disrupt further criminal activity
- Residents urged to ‘think twice’ if offered cheap or unbranded cigarettes and report to Trading Standards or Crimestoppers
Tamworth Borough Council, working in close partnership with Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards and Staffordshire Police, has successfully secured a further three-month extension to a closure order on Market Convenience Store, 31 Market Street.
This follows the original closure in January 2026, after the premises became the third town centre shop in seven weeks to be shut down for selling illegal and suspected counterfeit tobacco products.
On Tuesday 28 April 2026, Cannock Magistrates’ Court granted the extension as illegal tobacco sales linked to the premises remain an ongoing concern. The order ensures the premises will stay closed to protect the public and disrupt further criminal activity.
The original action was taken to safeguard the public and to prevent ongoing criminal activity linked to the premises. The shop has again been closed and boarded, with entry prohibited during the three-month period.
Closure notices are served on the shop manager, Bawann Hama-Amin and the shop landlord Dalsad Baban. While Tamworth Borough Council’s powers are focused on securing closure orders to prevent ongoing harm and disruption, Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards are continuing to take separate enforcement action against the individuals responsible for the continued sale of illicit tobacco associated with the premises.
Chief Executive Stephen Gabriel, said: “This action sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal trading in our town centre. The continued sale of illicit and illegal tobacco poses serious risk to public health and fuels wider criminal activity.
“We will continue working closely with our partners to take firm and decisive action against those who break the law and put our communities at risk.”
Mark Wilson, Head of Regulatory Services and Community Safety at Staffordshire County Council, said: “The sale of illicit and illegal goods is something our Trading Standards Service are working hard to stamp out. Not only do the sale of such goods undermine legitimate businesses but they pose serious health risks, especially to young people.
“We continue to work closely with our partners and will take tough action against those caught selling illegal goods. The extension to the closure means we can prevent further sales of these dangerous goods and keep communities safe.”
Residents can play their part too. If you're offered cheap or unbranded tobacco, please think twice – it's likely illegal, unregulated and potentially harmful. Buying it, even unknowingly, helps fund the criminal networks behind it. If you have information about the sale of illegal tobacco in Tamworth, please report it to Staffordshire County Council Trading Standards consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
This continued action highlights the 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.
Notes:
See below for the previous press release:
Here are the other shop closure press releases:
- Local shop and illegal HMO in Tamworth closed as councils take action | Tamworth Borough Council
- Swift partnership action closes town centre shop | Tamworth Borough Council
- Another town centre shop closed after illegal tobacco uncovered | Tamworth Borough Council
The business owners of the previous closures:
- Eeze shop: Mr Mustafa Mamend
- Vape shop: Mr Jabar Hussain
- Glascote Express: Mr Pav Akhtar (property owner), Mr Naseer Ahmad (business owner)