The move forms part of a wider crackdown on rogue high street traders by the new Burnham government, which is aiming to break the grip that organised crime has been able to obtain over many of Britain’s town centres.
The maximum length of closure orders will now be extended from six months to 12 months, in the hope that the move will act as a stronger deterrent against criminal gangs that have repeatedly skirted regulations and reopened businesses under different names, either on the same street or, in some cases, in the same premises.
Many of these so-called ‘dodgy shops’ targeted by trading standards are involved in the sale of illicit, counterfeit or non-compliant products.
These products often include counterfeit vapes and cigarettes and, in some cases, illegal drugs such as cocaine and cannabis. They can also include illegally imported food products that are mislabelled, counterfeit or fail to meet UK food hygiene and safety regulations.
The sale of expired goods can also feature among offences identified by enforcement teams.
John Herriman, chief executive at the CTSI, said: “CTSI welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement on the planned extension to the maximum duration of closure orders, which will help to close down dodgy shops for longer.
“Closure orders are an important enforcement tool available to Local Authority Trading Standards teams. They can provide a more immediate safeguard for communities, and more immediate disruption to criminal activity. The announcement will assist enforcement agencies in being more able to robustly disrupt the most persistent offenders.”
The sale of counterfeit food products by rogue high street retailers can damage the reputation of established manufacturers when inferior products are passed off as genuine goods.
Legitimate retailers and manufacturers will no doubt hope the crackdown helps restore a level playing field on the high street, where businesses often face significant costs associated with food safety compliance, allergen controls, product testing, packaging and labelling requirements and environmental obligations.
Many of these requirements are frequently ignored altogether by rogue traders.
Trading standards argues that the tougher measures will help safeguard communities and protect legitimate businesses that have been repeatedly undercut in recent years.
The body does, however, warn that the move does not solve all enforcement challenges and that county councils in two-tier authority areas still have no authority to issue such orders. These powers are also unavailable in Scotland.
A member survey carried out by the CTSI found near-universal support for the new regulations among its membership.
Herriman added: “The presence of dodgy shops on our high streets has a significant negative impact on local communities and legitimate businesses. Local Authority Trading Standards play a vital role in maintaining the level-playing field for businesses and creating safe, prosperous communities, and the announcement is a positive step to assist in efforts to allow our high streets to thrive.
“We are keen to work with UK Governments to unlock the full potential of strengthened closure orders by addressing some anomalies including permitting closure orders to be accessed in Scotland, and addressing the significant challenge that remains for County Councils operating which are unable to make use of this important tool. These further changes would roll-out coverage to all Local Authorities across Britain and ensure that all local communities and High Streets can benefit from the important role Closure Orders can play in closing dodgy shops and help to rejuvenate our High Streets.”
