The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the Government to extend the length of closure orders for stores found to be selling illicit goods to 12 months.
In its submission to a consultation on the issue, ACS is supporting proposals for the duration of closure orders to be extended to 12 months, from the current six months, to act as an effective deterrent against rogue traders.
The ACS submission highlighted the wider impact of the illicit trade and its links to other criminality. Interventions to stop rogue traders have discovered stolen goods being traded, tax evasion, modern slavery and networks of organised crime.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Rogue traders are dragging down high streets and local communities across the country, so we need to ensure that there are effective penalties that stop them from operating. Extending closure orders to 12 months would be an important step forward in the battle against the illicit trade, but it must be accompanied by other changes to make it easier and more consistent to report illicit activity when it happens, and for Trading Standards to have the resources to enforce locally.”
Findings from the 2026 ACS Community Barometer found that the presence of dodgy shops is one of the top reasons why people feel as though their local high streets are in decline, but the number one reason is the presence of empty or vacant properties. The submission calls on the Government to look at ways to get properties that have been made vacant through the closure of rogue businesses back up and trading responsibly with retailers that make a positive contribution to their communities.
In its submission, the ACS also encouraged Government to ensure enforcement agencies have clear guidance on the use of Closure Order powers, citing feedback from retailers that indicated that intelligence quality and consistency of enforcement approaches can vary significantly.
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