Southwark Council has closed a Walworth off-license until May for allegedly selling illicit goods, writes Cristina Trujillo…
Southwark Council obtained a closure order on Walworth Rd Vape, previously known as SE Cloud and Europe Vape, until at least 25 May of this year.
The local authority claims it was found to be selling illicit and counterfeit tobacco products and vapes to adults and minors.
In a statement published this week, a Southwark Council spokesperson alleged the shop sold cigarettes to under-age customers for £5 a pack three times and was unlawfully selling a hidden store of 32,000 cigarettes, 1817 vapes and 360 packs of tobacco and shisha – uncovered with the help of sniffer dogs.
The closure follows an investigation from the council into the shop’s activity, including nine undercover test purchases.
Councillor Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Neighbourhoods, commented on the shop closure “The sale of illicit tobacco and vapes poses major health risks to our communities and undermines our honest, legitimate shopkeepers.
“Securing this second closure order is another great result for our trading standards team. With more to come, the action shows Southwark Council will not tolerate local shops being taken over by organised criminal groups.
“We are committed to working with the police and public health colleagues to maintain a healthy environment and a safer and fairer Southwark.”
The council said the closure order was not opposed by the landlord or respondents, although they sought to restrict its duration to less than the three-month maximum.
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