Southwark Council shuts Camberwell shop over illegal tobacco

April 20, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Southwark Council has temporarily shut down a shop on Camberwell Church Street, SE5, following repeated illegal sales of tobacco and vapes. This action represents the third time the council has exercised these powers to address such offending.

The closure order was granted at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 15 April 2026 under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Despite objections from the landlord, the court determined there was clear evidence of ongoing illegal activity and that closing the premises was necessary to prevent its continuation. The shop is now closed for a period of three months, until 15 July 2026.

Investigation uncovers significant illicit trade

The council’s trading standards investigation involved six undercover test purchases. These operations revealed the sale of illicit and counterfeit tobacco products. Notably, on two occasions, counterfeit cigarettes were sold to children for £5 a pack.

Officers conducted three inspections of the premises, resulting in the seizure of over 32,000 illegal cigarettes, 490 illicit vapes, and 43 shisha packs. Many of these products were found concealed within sophisticated hiding places, and their discovery was aided by specialist tobacco detection dogs.

Southwark Council stated its commitment to taking firm action against businesses that pose risks to public health and undermine legitimate traders. Residents wishing to report consumer crime can visit http://www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/report-consumer-crime/.

Author

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From Town Hall decisions to resident-led reports, the South London News On Your Doorstep Desk offers comprehensive coverage of the issues that matter to your street. Our editorial staff provide critical updates on local planning, council services, and neighbourhood initiatives, ensuring our readers never miss a change to their local area.

Every report is produced under the rigorous oversight of a leadership team with decades of experience at Yahoo UK, Metro, and the Daily Mail. By bridging the gap between local grievances and council accountability, our desk upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity to provide an accurate, human-led perspective on the stories driving South East London today.