A second shop on Somercotes Hill has been shut down after Amber Valley Borough Council and Derbyshire Trading Standards uncovered illegal tobacco sales during a new enforcement operation.
Reports of illegal tobacco sales at a newly opened shop, Pit Shop, at 243 Somercotes Hill triggered swift action from Amber Valley Borough Council and Derbyshire County Council.
The investigation came after nearby Somercotes Store, at 249 Somercotes Hill, had already been closed in August 2025 under a three-month Closure Order for repeated illegal tobacco sales and anti-social behaviour.
Trading Standards carried out test purchases at Pit Shop, which confirmed the sale of illicit tobacco products. Amber Valley Borough Council officers then sought a further Closure Order to prevent continued offending and protect the community.
At a hearing on Tuesday 11 November, Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court granted the Closure Order for 243 Somercotes Hill. The Court also agreed to extend the existing Closure Order at 249 Somercotes Hill.
Both shops must now remain closed until at least 4 February 2026. Neither premises may reopen before that date.
Councillor Elaine Sherman, Cabinet Member for Regulation and Community Safety at Amber Valley Borough Council, said: "It is deeply disappointing that illegal trading continued at another premises on Somercotes Hill. This behaviour undermines the law, puts public health at risk and causes real concern for local residents.
"Our priority is to protect residents and support honest local businesses. Whenever evidence shows that a premises is trading illegally, we will take whatever action is necessary to stop it.
"Our teams, alongside Derbyshire Trading Standards and Derbyshire Constabulary, have acted swiftly and decisively, and these closures send a strong message that illegal trading will not be tolerated in Amber Valley."
Partnership work between the Council, Derbyshire Trading Standards and Derbyshire Constabulary continues to be central to tackling illegal tobacco sales, supporting responsible retailers and responding to community concerns.
Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities, Councillor Dawn Abbott, said: "Our trading standards officers are working incredibly hard with our partners to crack down on sales of illegal cigarettes and tobacco and it is extremely disappointing and frustrating to see these shops flouting the law in this way.
"We are grateful to members of the public for continuing to give us information and we will continue to investigate and act to stamp out this illegal trading, which not only puts public health at risk but threatens the livelihoods of legitimate traders.
"Working hand in hand with Amber Valley Borough Council and Derbyshire Constabulary, we welcome these closure orders, and I’d like to thank everyone involved in this continuing very important work."
Anyone with information about the sale of illegal tobacco can report it anonymously to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Contact the team directly on 01773 570222 or email enquiry@ambervalley.gov.uk
