Margate shop temporarily closed following illegal tobacco sales

A shop in Margate has been served with a temporary closure notice following joint work from Trading Standards, officers from Margate’s Community Safety Unit and Thanet District Council’s Community Team.

Investigation

Maman House on Northdown Road was first visited in November 2025 and a large quantity of illegal tobacco products was discovered. Due to the amount that was discovered, it is estimated that the cash only business was making around £4,000 to £5,000 a week from the illegal products.

Despite receiving official warnings from Kent Police, the business owner continued to breach the conditions imposed.

Court

The case was brought before Margate Magistrates’ Court on 15 January 2026, where a judge granted a two‑month closure order. This prohibited the business owner from entering the premises and required all trading to cease.

However, during the period of closure, the owner was stopped twice in one week by police. Searches of his vehicle and person uncovered further illicit tobacco and cash on both occasions. Officers believe he had begun delivering illegal goods by car in an attempt to defy the closure order.

On Monday 16 March, the case returned to Margate Magistrates’ Court following evidence of continued trading. A judge subsequently imposed a further three‑month closure order, which will remain in place until 16 June 2026.

Police Constable Glenn Castle said:

‘Legitimate businesses in Margate lose trade to establishments like this, and the risks associated with consuming this illegal tobacco are very serious.  'We will continue working with partners such as Trading Standards to take action against illegal businesses, and protect our communities.’

James Whiddett, Operations Manager for Kent Trading Standards said

‘By working together with Kent Police and the local Community Safety Unit, we can focus our resources to protect Kent residents and remove illegal product from sale.  'We will continue to support partnership work like this as it enables us to tackle crime on our local high streets.’