Two convenience stores in north Liverpool have been ordered to close for three months following investigations into illegal sales by Liverpool Council's Trading Standards teams.
Magistrates issued the closure orders against a business on Utting Avenue in Norris Green and the Old Swan Off Licence on Prescot Road in Old Swan.
Why the shops were shut down
The Utting Avenue shop was found to have sold vapes to underage customers and stocked illegal cigarettes and tobacco. The Old Swan Off Licence received a similar order.
Magistrates determined that the three-month closure on the Utting Avenue premises was necessary to "prevent the behaviour, nuisance or disorder from continuing, recurring or occurring."
What happens next
Liverpool Council's licensing and gambling committee will hold hearings to decide whether the shops can continue selling alcohol once the closure period ends.
Members of the public can submit objections or other evidence to the committee until Tuesday.
