Four shops have been forced to shut in a crackdown on illegal cigarettes. Newport Council has secured three-month closure orders for the businesses in Pillgwenlly and the city centre.
The shops — which span half a mile along a single thoroughfare — are Food Store at 155 Commercial Road, Maleek at 61 Commercial Road, Jacobs at 61 Commercial Street, and Superstore at 141 Commercial Street. A council spokeswoman said all were involved in the sale of illicit tobacco.
When the closure orders were issued by Gwent magistrates last month, the only business to contest the council's application was Food Store, which was unsuccessful. Superstore cannot reopen until November 10, Jacobs until November 11, Maleek until November 17 and Food Store until November 30.
