Maidenhead store and its owner ordered to pay over £10,000 over illegal vape haul

A Maidenhead town centre convenience store and its owner have been ordered to pay more than £10,000 after being caught selling illegal vaping products and incorrectly labelled shisha.

A total of 167 illegal oversized disposable vapes, some capable of delivering up to 10,000 puffs, were found hidden in a display cabinet and in a vehicle at the back of the premises at Bridge Superstore.

A case was then brought by RBWM and Maidenhead’s Trading Standards team against APNA Bridge Superstore Limited, which runs the shop in Bridge Avenue, and its director Tarlok Singh Kapoor, 33, of Hayes.

Officers carried out the inspection on May 28 2024, with a specialist sniffer dog team, following intelligence from Thames Valley Police.

They also seized incorrectly labelled Al Fakher shisha products and other non-compliant nicotine items.

Mr Kapoor had previously received advice and written warnings from Trading Standards about vaping laws and product compliance.

Mr Kapoor pleaded guilty on behalf of himself and the company at Reading Magistrates Court on Friday, September 19 2025.

The magistrates described the sale of oversized vapes as ‘dangerous’ and imposed penalties.

Mr Kapoor was ordered to pay £1,500 in fines, a £600 victim surcharge and £1,300 in costs, totalling £3,400.

APNA Bridge Superstore Limited have been ordered to pay £3,000 in fines, a £1,200 victim surcharge and £2,700 in costs, totalling £6,900.

This brings the overall total to £10,300.

Councillor Richard Coe, cabinet member for household and regulatory Services, said: “This case sends a clear message that we will take robust action against businesses that break the law.

“Oversized vapes are illegal for a reason – they pose a risk to health.

"Robust enforcement ensures honest traders who play by the rules aren’t disadvantaged by those who don’t.”

Those who suspect a retailer is selling illegal products or age-restricted items to underage customers are asked to contact the Trading Standards team at: Trading.Standards@RBWM.gov.uk