Friday, October 16, 2026
A shop in Barnoldswick has been ordered to close after being linked to the sale of illegal tobacco and cigarettes.
Police officers from our Prosper Partnership Team visited Sandy Lane Mini Market on Albert Road alongside officers from Trading Standards on Tuesday 29 September, following multiple reports of the sale of illegal tobacco and cigarettes.
While there, they discovered a number of items hidden in a secret compartment in a storeroom of the shop. A fob was hidden inside a sponge, which when pressed made a shelf raise from the floor, revealing the stash, including 479 packets of cigarettes, 143 packets of hand rolling tobacco, and two packets of Viagra. This find followed years of failed inspections and test purchases at the shop, demonstrating continued criminality on the premises.
On Wednesday 14 October, a Closure Order was granted at Burnley Magistrates, meaning the shop must now close for the next three months as under UK law, initial premises closure orders are capped at three months. Anyone seen entering the store before the Closure Order concludes on Thursday 14 January 2027 without reasonable excuse will be committing a criminal offence and can face a fine and/or imprisonment.
Sergeant Carl McCoy from the Pendle Prosper Partnership Team said: “Trading of this nature is not and will never be tolerated in Pendle and we will continue to work with Trading Standards to take firm action against businesses who sell illegal tobacco and cigarettes.
“I would ask residents of Barnoldswick, and Pendle, to keep reporting concerns to us or Trading Standards. Your concerns are heard and we do take them incredibly seriously.”
Cllr Joshua Roberts, cabinet member for Rural Affairs, Environment and Communities, said: “Finding more than 600 packets of illegal tobacco and cigarettes hidden in a secret compartment is extremely concerning. It shows why persistent enforcement and partnership working are so important.
“Illegal tobacco undermines honest local businesses, puts consumers at risk and can be linked to wider criminal activity. Our Trading Standards officers will continue working with Lancashire Police to tackle those breaking the law and protect communities across Lancashire.
“I would urge anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco to report it. Public information helps our officers identify offenders and take action.”
This closure order was undertaken as part of Lancashire Constabulary’s Operation Centurion, a county-wide crack down on anti-social behaviour and criminality, backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. You can report anti-social behaviour concerns to Lancashire Police by calling 101 or via their website https://www.lancashire.police.uk/ro/report/