Darlington Borough Council’s trading standards officers secured the premises closure order against 'Pick & Pay', on North Road, at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (August 5). It follows a day of action targeting the illegal tobacco trade last week, when premises closure orders were served on three other businesses in the town. The council also stressed that the length of a premises closure order was determined by magistrates and not by the local authority. Under current national legislation, a court can impose an initial closure order for up to three months. Residents have also been urged to play their part by refusing to buy illegal tobacco and vaping products and by reporting suspected sellers.