Murray Street Store Formally Linked to Illegal Cigarette Trade Goes to Auction
- teessidetoday
- Aug 26
- 2 min read
The Store which was closed by Teesside Magistrate's Court in a crackdown on illegal activity in the area will now be sold at auction next month...
26th August 2025
A Hartlepool shop which was shut down by the courts for selling illegal cigarettes has been placed up for auction with a guide price of just £20,000.
The former 'Slemani Express' Store, located in Hartlepool's Murray Street, was subject to a closure order by Teesside Magistrates’ Court in December 2024 after investigations by Hartlepool Borough Council and Cleveland Police linked the premises to the sale of illegal tobacco as well as other criminal activity.
The closure order, which initially ran for three months, was later extended following further concerns from council officials, where it was alleged the shop’s proprietors were attempting to set up similar businesses elsewhere in Hartlepool, raising fears of continued illegal activity.
Now, the vacant commercial property has appeared on the market through Auction House UK, with the auction set for 10th September.
According to the auction listing, the property is described as a vacant end-terrace building arranged to provide:
Ground Floor: shop area, kitchen, and WC
First Floor: two rooms
Second Floor: two rooms
The property sits in a mixed-use street close to local shops, amenities, and transport links, with Ward Jackson Park and Hartlepool rail station both nearby.
The auction also highlights additional fees, including a £1,500 administration charge (inc. VAT) plus potential legal costs, search fees, and disbursements as outlined in the legal pack.
However, its claimed that whilst the property may appear to be a bargain, its recent history and Hartlepool Borough Councils repeated legal action will no doubt weigh on potential bidders’ minds.
