Southwark Council closes Bermondsey shop over illegal tobacco

June 9, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Southwark Council has obtained a closure order against a Bermondsey shop, Quickstop at 285 Southwark Park Road, after it was found to be dealing in illegal tobacco and vapes. The premises will remain closed until at least 4 September 2026.

The order was granted on Thursday 4 June 2026 at Croydon Magistrates Court following investigations by the council’s trading standards team. These investigations included six undercover test purchases where cheap, illegal cigarettes were sold from the shop. Subsequent inspections led to the seizure of 189 packets of cigarettes, 43 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, and 85 vapes, all of which were being sold unlawfully. Empty packaging for illegal cigarette cartons was also discovered on the premises.

Regulatory Failures

Further examination revealed that the business was not registered with His Majesty’s Customs and Excise tobacco track and trace system, meaning it could not lawfully sell legitimate cigarettes. The closure order application was opposed by the landlord, but the court determined there was evidence of repeated criminal behaviour and that the order was necessary to prevent its continuation. This marks Southwark Council’s fourth closure of its kind.

Councillor David Watson, Executive Member for Community Safety and Engagement at Southwark, stated: “We will make Southwark safer by dealing with causes of crime and protecting people and neighbourhoods. The sale of illegal tobacco and vape products poses major health risks and shows criminal gangs are targeting our high streets. This closure order is a great result for our Trading Standards team and shows we will stand up for our communities and local legitimate shops whose businesses are undermined by the sale of illegal and unsafe products.”

The sale of illegal products can be anonymously reported at 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.