Another off-licence in Cradley Heath has been hit with a three-month closure order after it was caught selling illegal goods.
Famous Shop in High Street, Cradley Heath, was told to keep its doors closed for a further three months by Dudley magistrates on Wednesday (October 7) following action by Sandwell’s trading standards.
The order was granted with magistrates saying there had been an “entrenched pattern of criminal activity” at the shop that “urgently needed to be addressed” and they were “concerned by the frequency of the incidents.”
The magistrates Anthony Hickman and Davinder Sangha said the strength of the evidence – which included sales to undercover trading standards officers and an underage child – was enough to approve the closure order after it was expected that alleged illegal activity at the shop from July onwards would be disputed.
A temporary closure order for Famous Shop had been agreed to October 7 by magistrates.
A total of 11 shops in Cradley Heath have now been forced to close in recent months following a stamp down by Sandwell Council.
Cradley Market, also in the town’s High Street, was closed for three months after it was found selling cocaine, cannabis, crystal meth, and prescription medicine over the counter.
International Vape in the town’s Lower High Street and All Day in Cradley Road were both forced to close for three months after being hit with orders by magistrates.
G&G Market had its licence revoked by Sandwell Council in July after selling illegal cigarettes and tobacco products just weeks after opening in November last year.
West Midlands Police said the shop had been “undeterred” after numerous illegal cigarettes and tobacco products, as well as prescription-only medicine, were seized and continued selling illicit goods – even to an undercover child – despite several warnings.
The town’s Pay Less, Menna Shop and Vape Express have also been hit with closure orders following action by Sandwell Council.
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