A shop in Ilfracombe has been ordered to close for three months after illegal tobacco continued to be sold despite an earlier warning.
Ilfracombe Mini Market was granted a three‑month closure order at Barnstaple Magistrates’ Court on 7 April.
It’s the fifth shop closed by Heart of the South West Trading Standards and police over the last month – an average of two shops a month have been closed over the last year.
Trading Standards officers visited the premises with police in October last year after receiving reports that illegal tobacco was being sold. During the visit, tobacco detection dogs uncovered a sophisticated, fob‑operated hydraulic concealment in the basement, which was being used to store illegal products.
Illicit tobacco with an estimated value of around £2,000 was seized, and the business was warned about its conduct.
Despite the visit and seizure, intelligence suggested the illegal activity continued. In February 2026, officers carried out a covert test purchase of illegal tobacco at the shop.
Operations Manager for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, Alex Fry, said:
“This business had already been warned, yet illegal tobacco continued to be sold. Trading Standards officers working with the police will continue to take action where this kind of activity persists, to protect local communities and legitimate businesses.”
Following the test purchase, Trading Standards officers and Devon & Cornwall police applied to the court for a closure order, which was granted, forcing the business to shut for three months