Licence pulled following trading standards probe
Southwark councillors have voted to revoke the premises licence of Nunhead Express on Kirkwood Road after a trading standards investigation uncovered a catalogue of unlawful and unsafe items for sale, including over 1,000 illegal single‑use vapes, counterfeit Labubu toys and unlicensed erectile dysfunction ointments. The decision was taken on 2 June by the council’s licensing sub‑committee following a review supported by police.
Members unanimously concluded they had lost confidence in the operator’s ability to manage the premises in line with licensing objectives. The move follows a test purchase and subsequent inspections which identified a mixture of prohibited, counterfeit and incorrectly labelled products on the shelves and in storage.
What officers and police say they found
According to Southwark Council, the enforcement activity led to the discovery and seizure of a wide range of goods. Police also attended as part of the operation. Items recorded by officials included:
- More than 1,000 illegal disposable vapes
- Illegal cigarettes and tobacco
- Counterfeit Labubu dolls
- Unlicensed erectile dysfunction ointments
- 100 large canisters of nitrous oxide gas
- Small bags of suspected herbal cannabis priced at £20 each
- Alcohol with labelling breaches, such as Polish lager lacking English information or UK importer details
Setting out the council’s stance on enforcement, the cabinet member for community safety and engagement, Cllr David Watson, said the authority would act decisively to protect consumers and honest traders.
“Genuine, hardworking local retailers in our communities are undermined by the sale of fake, illegal and unsafe products – it is vital that we protect our local businesses as well as consumers by taking action where necessary.”
He added that the outcome represented a strong result for the trading standards team and underlined the council’s focus on safer high streets.
Appeal process and what happens next
The shop’s operator has the right to challenge the decision in the magistrates’ court. Until that appeal is either upheld or dismissed, the licence remains in place. If the revocation is confirmed, the venue will lose the permission that allows it to sell alcohol under the Licensing Act.
Licensing reviews can be triggered where evidence suggests premises are not promoting key objectives such as preventing crime and disorder or protecting public safety. Councillors consider reports from officers and police before deciding whether to modify conditions, suspend a licence or, in the most serious cases, remove it altogether.
Why this matters for residents and local traders
Illegal products present a real risk to customers and a clear disadvantage to legitimate shops trying to trade fairly. Counterfeit toys can fail basic safety checks, while unregulated vaping products and unlicensed medicinal ointments may not meet UK standards. Incorrectly labelled alcohol can also leave buyers without essential information on strength, allergens or origin.
Residents in Nunhead have seen a growth in small convenience stores over the past decade, with most operating within the rules. Cases like this, however, can place pressure on neighbouring businesses and undermine confidence on the high street. The council’s action signals increased scrutiny where concerns are raised and test purchases indicate non‑compliance.
At a glance: items and issues flagged
| Category | Examples cited by officers |
|---|---|
| Vaping | 1,000+ single‑use vapes deemed illegal |
| Tobacco | Illegal cigarettes and tobacco products |
| Toys | Counterfeit Labubu dolls |
| Medicinal | Unlicensed erectile dysfunction ointments |
| Substances | 100 large nitrous oxide canisters |
| Drugs (suspected) | Herbal cannabis in small bags priced at £20 |
| Labelling | Polish lager without English labelling or UK importer details |
Keeping our high streets safe
Southwark Council’s trading standards team relies on intelligence from inspections and joint work with the police. Test purchasing is a common tool to check compliance. Where problems persist or serious breaches are identified, councillors can review a licence and impose sanctions to protect public safety.
For shoppers, simple steps can help reduce risk: look for clear English labelling on alcohol; be wary of unusually cheap branded goods; and avoid buying products that appear altered or without safety markings. For retailers, keeping paperwork in order and ensuring all stock comes through legitimate supply chains helps demonstrate compliance during inspections.
The case at Nunhead Express will now proceed to the appeal stage. In the meantime, the council says it will keep backing law‑abiding businesses and taking action where goods put people at risk or damage fair competition.
