Two West Derby Road shops lose licences after selling illegal tobacco

Two premises on West Derby Road in the Tuebrook area of Liverpool have had their licences withdrawn after council investigations revealed the sale of illegal tobacco and related products.

The Licensing Committee subsequently voted to remove the alcohol licences for L6 Local Store and The Park Food Store & Off Licence.

L6 Local Store first attracted council attention in November 2025 when six undercover officers purchased illicit tobacco and cigarettes. The store’s CCTV was deliberately redirected at the ceiling with a stick after staff claimed it had been knocked accidentally, and the owner was warned but persisted with the illegal activity.

Officers also seized an additional 10,000 illicit cigarettes from a van parked outside the premises.

The neighbouring business, The Park Food Store & Off Licence, was found to be selling single-use vapes in June and October 2025. When undercover Council officers attempted to buy illicit tobacco and cigarettes, staff served the products. A July 2026 raid revealed a concealed space in its stockroom containing nearly 13,000 illicit cigarettes and 14 pouches of unregulated tobacco.

Council officials warned that unregulated vapes, cigarettes and tobacco may contain banned substances and pose serious health risks. Single-use vapes were prohibited by the Government in 2025 under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, and Viagra may only be sold after consultation with a qualified pharmacist.

Councillor Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said the shops repeatedly chose to break the law despite warnings, endangering customers and undermining honest traders. He added that the council’s investigations have removed thousands of illegal products and that Liverpool will not tolerate businesses profiting from unsafe goods. Residents are urged to report suspected illicit sales via the council website, Crimestoppers or Trading Standards.