Cross party support has been shown to stop so-called 'Phoenix Shops' popping up across Solihull.

The rogue shops – often vape shops – are closed down using enforcement powers but later reopen under a different name and continue unlawful activities.

At the latest full council meeting the leader of Solihull Council Councillor Karen Grinsell handed in a petition signed by 251 residents calling for action.

The leader of the Conservative-run administration then brought forward a motion calling for local enforcement powers to be strengthened.

Only last month the owner of Boss Mart 4 on Stratford Road Road in Shirley was taken to court in a case brought by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. The owner was fined almost £7,000 for selling illegal vapes.

Boss Mart 4 ceased trading from the premises in October 2025 but it was subsequently occupied by another company, operating under the name Boss Mart 3.

After Solihull Council and West Midlands Police seized a large amount of illegal tobacco and cigarettes from Boss Mart 3 in February that shop was then forced to close.

Presenting the motion Cllr Grinsell said she wouldn't refer to particular names but said: "Clearly such (illegal) activity undermines legitimate local traders right across the borough.

"It deprives people, the public purse of revenue and it does contribute to the wider criminality while also harming the health and wellbeing of residents."

The motion called for the council to write to the government to introduce stronger statutory powers enabling councils and police to permanently close a premise/premises linked to serious trading offences and criminal activity.

Liberal Democrat councillor Michael Carthew said there had been issues in his ward of Olton with the shops saying the current "loophole" needed closing.

Conservative Councillor Wazma Qais said honest traders were being driven out of business adding: "Our current powers aren't designed for people who exploit these loopholes."

Reform councillor Alan Feeney said: "I will be supporting this motion – this issue has been going on for years.

"It just seems to not have been taken particularly seriously before now across the piece.

"Criminals know that we know what they are up to, they are laughing in our faces."

Councillor Max McLoughlin, the leader of the Green group, suggested an amendment which called for a review into the resources available to trading standards "to ensure they are adequate to meet current and anticipated statutory duties".

But after this was defeated he said: "I will still be supporting the motion – I just think it is a missed opportunity to improve the motion a little further."

When the vote was taken councillors unanimously backed the motion during the meeting on April 14.