Here's why the courts issued three months closure notice on Bamber Bridge shop
A corner shop which was repeatedly caught selling illicit tobacco and vapes has been closed down.
Lancashire Police and partners have been successful in securing a Closure Order for the Euro Mini Market in Bamber Bridge.
The shop in School Lane had six Trading Standards inspections between November 2023 and October 2025 during which thousands of illegal tobacco products were seized.
The store also failed three test purchasing operations, having sold illicit tobacco and non-compliant vapes to officers, as well as a child.
Lancashire Police served the shop with a Closure Notice on November 6 and on November 7 applied to Preston Magistrates Court for a Closure Order which was granted, meaning the business must close for three months and is only allowed to reopen from February 7, 2026.
Anybody found on the premises while the Closure Order is in place may be arrested and could face imprisonment and/or a fine.
Sgt Paul Harrison from South Ribble Task Force said: “Working closely with Lancashire Trading Standards and other partners, we have secured a Closure Order through the courts to put a stop to this activity. This should send a clear message that selling illicit tobacco and vapes will not be tolerated in South Ribble.
“We’re grateful to the public for sharing information that helped us to achieve this outcome. Your support is vital, and we encourage you to keep reporting concerns so we can continue tackling issues like this, which often lead to anti-social behaviour in surrounding areas”
Op Centurion is a county-wide crackdown on anti-social behaviour, led by Lancashire Constabulary and backed by the Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.