Weymouth shop ordered to close after repeated illicit tobacco sales

By Jake Brewer- BAJ Accredited Journalist

Weymouth, Dorset — 27 February 2026
A local retail premises in Weymouth has been ordered to shut for three months following repeated sales of illicit tobacco products, including instances involving children, after enforcement action by Dorset Council’s Trading Standards team and Dorset Police. (Dorset Council)

The business, Blue Shop, located at 8a Coburg Place on St Thomas Street, was the subject of legal action at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on 18 February 2026, where magistrates granted a closure order under powers intended to tackle criminal activity linked to illegal goods. (Dorset Council)

Investigations by Trading Standards found that the shop had sold non-compliant and illicit tobacco products on multiple occasions, with undercover officers confirming illegal transactions. On follow-up visits, hidden concealment areas were discovered within the premises where prohibited tobacco items were stored, and several seizures of illicit tobacco and vapes were made. (Dorset Council)

A joint enforcement visit on 2 February 2026 led to an immediate 48-hour closure of the shop due to ongoing criminal activity. During that intervention, the company’s director, Berez Fatahi, was arrested, and more than £2,000 in cash was seized by a council financial investigator. (Dorset Council)

During court proceedings, legal representatives for Mr Fatahi — aged 23 and director of Blues Hope Ltd, the firm trading as Blue Shop — contested the need for a closure order. After an adjourned hearing on 4 February, magistrates took further evidence and ultimately decided to uphold the closure, ruling the shop must remain shut to midnight on 17 May 2026 and awarding Dorset Council £8,181 in costs. (Dorset Council)

Councillor Gill Taylor, Dorset Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, stressed the importance of enforcement in protecting public health and local businesses. “The sale of illicit items like tobacco harms our communities and undermines legitimate businesses,” she said, highlighting the strength of joint working with police to disrupt the illegal tobacco trade and ensure compliance with the law. (Dorset Council)