Bexley Council secures closure orders against shops selling illegal goods

Bexley news update

The Trading Standards team at the Council, supported by Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams, has successfully secured four Closure Orders against shops in the borough found to be selling illicit tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes. The orders, granted by Bromley Magistrates Court on Friday, 30 May 2025, come under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The four premises, now closed for a period of three months until 23:59 on 29 August 2025, are:

  • Euro Express, High Street, Sidcup
  • Bexley Express, The Broadway, Bexleyheath
  • Candy Shop, Albert Road, Belvedere
  • Lithuanian Food Centre, Gilbert Road, Belvedere

These closures follow extensive investigations that included numerous test purchases and seizures of illegal products from each location.

Councillor Baroness O’Neill of Bexley OBE, Leader of the Council, said:

The success in securing these closure orders sends a clear message that the sale of illicit tobacco, cigarettes, and vapes will not be tolerated in our borough. These products pose significant health risks to our communities, undermine legitimate businesses, and are often linked to wider criminal activity. We are committed to working with our partners, including the Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams, to protect our residents and maintain a fair trading environment."

Details of the investigations leading to the closure orders include:

  • Euro Express: Four successful test purchases of illicit tobacco products between February 2024 and April 2025, alongside four seizures totalling 1719 packets of illicit/counterfeit cigarettes, 3.7kg of illicit/counterfeit tobacco, and 215 illegal vapes.
  • Bexley Express: Three successful test purchases of illicit tobacco products between February and April 2025, and two seizures yielding 324 illegal vapes, 8 packets of illicit cigarettes, and 9.3kgs of illicit shisha tobacco.
  • Candy Shop: Three successful test purchases of illicit tobacco products from May 2024 to February 2025, and one seizure of 261 packets of illicit/counterfeit cigarettes and 2.7kgs of illicit/counterfeit tobacco.
  • Lithuanian Food Centre: One successful test purchase of illicit tobacco in September 2024, and two seizures in September 2024 and April 2025, confiscating 136 illegal vapes. This premises had also been subject to an armed robbery in January 2025.

In addition to the closures, an Enforcement Order undertaking was agreed and signed by the owner of Euro Mini Market, Bellegrove Road, Welling. For a period of 12 months, they have committed to:

  • not selling any nicotine-containing products
  • not employing anyone without the right to work in the UK
  • providing appropriate underage sale training to staff every six months
  • operating a Challenge 25 system
  • maintaining a challenge book

Investigations at Euro Mini Market included five successful test purchases of illicit tobacco products and a vape between May 2024 and April 2025, which notably included one underage sale test purchase for a vape and one for a packet of illicit cigarettes. A seizure in December 2024 confiscated 2kg of illicit Shisha tobacco.

These actions demonstrate a continued commitment by Trading Standards and the Police to tackle the illegal trade of age-restricted and counterfeit goods in the borough.