A Warwickshire shop with a secret lift and wall to hide illegal cigarettes has been forced to close. Trading standards officers say they seized hundreds of packets of cigarettes hidden in a secret wall compartment and under the floor in a specially built lift operated by hydraulic pistons at the Bazzar Mini Market in Studley.

They say that the Alcester Road-based shop had repeatedly sold counterfeit and non-duty paid cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco. Trading Standards say they worked with the landlord to have the lease on the property forfeited.

Posters have been put at the front of the shop stating that it has been closed after persons on the premises were engaging in ‘criminal activity’.

Speaking about the action taken, Warwickshire County Councillor Michael Bannister, cabinet memb

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