Nottinghamshire Shop Shut Down for Flouting Laws and Fueling Antisocial Behaviour
Buy and Save in Stanton Hill Closed for 3 Months
Nottinghamshire Police, backed by Ashfield District Council, has slammed the brakes on the Buy and Save store in Stanton Hill. A closure order, enforced under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act, was confirmed by Mansfield Magistrates’ Court this Thursday. The shop will stay shut for at least three months while a mandatory licensing review gets underway.
Illegal Sales and Dangerous Items Spark Police Action
The shop has doubled down on trouble, drawing multiple complaints about selling cigarettes, alcohol, and vaping products to underage customers. Worse still, it has been caught hawking illegal vaping goods. During a police sting, the store illegally sold a kitchen knife to a child and was found stashing two machetes behind the counter – which the store claimed were for “protection.” Officers also discovered cannabis-infused sweets tucked away on the premises.
Residents Fed Up with Antisocial Behaviour
Local residents have long reported harassment linked to the store – from reckless fireworks displays to aggressive driving and tennis-ball littering. Inspector John Hewitt, Ashfield’s district commander, stated:
“Thanks to its continued and reckless disregard for the law this business has sadly become a magnet for antisocial behaviour. We have received regular complaints and worked alongside the council and Trading Standards to take this decisive action. Licensing laws and retail restrictions exist for a reason, and we won’t tolerate repeat offenders. This business got multiple warnings but failed to act. We hope this sends a clear warning to others.”
Council and Trading Standards Join Forces to Protect Public Health
Robert Docherty, Ashfield’s Director of Place and Communities, revealed the Environmental Health team uncovered health and food safety breaches during inspections. He said officers would demand improvements before the shop could open again.
Councillor John Cottee, Nottinghamshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities, added:
“Selling age-restricted and illegal vaping products to children damages honest local businesses and harms communities through health risks and antisocial behaviour. Trading Standards will keep cracking down on illegal trading. This closure order sends a clear message: breaking the law will not be tolerated.”
