Local elected members will examine the permit of a business in Eastbourne after a Trading Standards prosecution connected to the sale of non-compliant vaping products.
The Eastbourne Borough Council licensing panel is set to deliberate on a review request concerning Zap, a wine and spirits outlet on Seaside Road, which holds authorisation to sell alcohol between 8am and midnight daily.
The review request was lodged by East Sussex Trading Standards in March. The documentation states that Hamza Pirot, the company’s director and licence holder, was found guilty of violations concerning the sale of e-cigarettes exceeding permitted capacity.
Trading Standards inspectors attended the premises in April 2023 and uncovered 314 prohibited vaping devices. A formal caution was subsequently issued to Mr Pirot.
Further investigation took place in April 2024, during which officials discovered 1,866 non-compliant vaping products on the premises. Thirty-three units were located inside a plastic carrier bag positioned at the shop counter, while the remaining 1,833 were stored in a basement area. According to Trading Standards, the devices recovered from the basement featured identical brands to those found at the counter.
In the submission, a Trading Standards representative stated that Mr Pirot was formally questioned and refuted any wrongdoing. He asserted that the merchandise had been in the shop prior to the April 2023 inspection and that his supplier based in London had declined to accept the goods back or provide a reimbursement.
He attributed the items discovered near the sales counter to a former staff member who had inadvertently transported them upstairs from the basement storage area.
Mr Pirot received a summons to appear before magistrates’ court in December 2024. Throughout multiple court appearances, he persisted in denying the offences and even questioned the legal classification of the confiscated merchandise.
This situation required specialist forensic examination of several samples to confirm they exceeded capacity limits and were consequently unlawful. The court imposed bail conditions prohibiting Mr Pirot from personally selling any vaping products throughout the United Kingdom.
The representative further noted that on 23rd February 2026, Mr Pirot attended Brighton Magistrates’ Court where he maintained his innocence. Following a brief trial, he was found guilty of all charges.
Mr Pirot has indicated his intention to implement changes.
In a statement provided in response to the review application, he commented that he takes his obligations seriously, encompassing the prevention of sales to minors, ensuring public safety, and adhering to all licensing requirements. He expressed willingness to collaborate fully and undertake any required enhancements.
The proceedings are slated to commence at 6pm on Monday, May 11 at Eastbourne Town Hall.
The hearing agenda was published during the same week that the Tobacco and Vapes Bill received Royal Assent.
This fresh legislation is anticipated to result in the implementation of a new licensing regime, which will ultimately necessitate businesses to hold a permit for the sale of vaping and tobacco products.