Illegal tobacco shop closed following council action

A Wombwell shop has been ordered to close for three months following action by Barnsley Council to tackle criminal activity and the sale of illegal tobacco.

Barnsley Magistrates' Court granted a Closure Order on Thursday 6 August 2026 in respect of Wombwell Mini Market after considering evidence submitted by the council's Trading Standards and Legal Services teams.

The order was granted under Section 80 of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 and requires the premises to remain closed for a period of three months.

Trading Standards officers had been monitoring the business for several months. On 23 July 2026, officers carried out a test purchase at the premises and were sold a pack of illegal cigarettes.

A subsequent search of the shop uncovered 4,320 illegal cigarettes and 158 packs of illegal hand-rolling tobacco. Officers also discovered a sophisticated concealed hidden compartment containing illegal tobacco products, a notebook detailing tobacco prices and related information, and articles within the compartment designed to hinder Officers from detection.

A Closure Notice was served on the premises ahead of the court hearing, requiring the business to remain closed until the court considered the council's application.

Having reviewed the application, witness statements and supporting evidence submitted by Barnsley Council, the District Judge granted the Closure Order, which will remain in force for three months.

The action forms part of Barnsley Council's ongoing work to tackle the sale of illegal tobacco and protect local communities from criminal activity. During the last financial year, six premises linked to illegal tobacco sales were closed by Barnsley Trading Standards. This is the second premises to be subject to a closure order since April 2026.

Councillor Sam Burdett, Cabinet Spokesperson for Communities, said:

"The sale of illegal tobacco is not a victimless crime. It helps to fund criminal activity, undermines legitimate local businesses and can have a serious impact on our communities.

"This closure order sends a clear message that we will not tolerate businesses involved in illegal activity in Barnsley. Our Trading Standards and Legal Services teams work closely together to protect residents and ensure businesses operate within the law.

"I'd like to thank everyone involved in securing this closure order. Their work helps safeguard our communities, support legitimate businesses and prevent criminal activity from taking hold in our neighbourhoods.

"We will continue to take robust action against those who sell illegal tobacco and engage in criminal behaviour that causes harm to our neighbourhoods."