Illegal goods and ‘bogus businesses’ hurting the high street

Tuesday, 22 July 2025 13:39

By George Lythgoe

Drake Street Food Store, also known as Polski Sklep, in Rochdale

‘Illegal working’ and ‘bogus businesses’ are hurting traders in Rochdale, according to the town’s MP.

Paul Waugh has called on the Prime Minister to accelerate measures to tackle illegal working in the town’s high streets, warning that bogus businesses are undermining honest traders and undercutting wages.

Just last month a shop on Drake Street was shut down by the council after it was found selling illegal vapes; counterfeit tobacco; foods not labelled in English; and toys that did not meet safety standards.

Rochdale Council said Drake Street Food Store, also known as Polski Sklep, had large volumes of illegal and potentially dangerous goods at the business – including items concealed under a toilet.

Since June 2024, the council has seized approximately 33,350 fake cigarettes and 26kg of hand rolled tobacco during a series of undercover visits at the premises.

Speaking on the issue of counterfeit trading at Prime Minister’s Questions last week, Mr Waugh said: “Workers in Rochdale on the minimum wage received a much needed pay rise this summer thanks to this government.

“But honest businesses are being undermined by the menace of illegal working, particularly illegal working by illegal migrants from Iran and Iraq in bogus barbershops and fake vape shops.

“So will the Prime Minister agree with me that we need to speed up the rollout of digital ID, particularly to help our police and immigration staff crack down on this grey market that ruins our high streets and undercuts pay of British workers?”

In response, Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the government has ramped up enforcement action since coming to power — with arrests for illegal working rising by 50 per cent.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that new powers are being introduced to tighten the law on delivery drivers and that the rollout of digital ID and E-Visas will allow frontline enforcement officers to check people’s right to work quickly and accurately.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Waugh said: “Residents and businesses across Rochdale have told me they’re fed up with unscrupulous operators who are flouting the law and damaging the vibrancy of our town centre. These operations harm legitimate businesses, undercut wages and blight our high streets.

That’s why I raised this directly with the Prime Minister — and I welcome his commitment to strengthen enforcement and speed up the introduction of digital ID and immigration checks to help tackle this issue head on.”

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