Camden may revoke Kentish Town sex shop licence over illegal pill sales
Blue Rose faces closure after police seized 200mg Sildenafil tablets sold without prescription
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Camden Council will decide next week whether to revoke the sex establishment licence of the Blue Rose adult shop in Kentish Town. The decision follows a Metropolitan Police investigation that found unlicensed staff selling Sildenafil pills, including doses double the recommended maximum, without prescription.
The shop, located on Kentish Town Road, has held its licence for more than ten years. Police licensing officers discovered the pills during inspections earlier this year. The seized tablets included 200mg doses of Sildenafil, a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. The recommended maximum dose is 100mg per day.
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Police call for licence revocation
PC Christopher Malone, the Met’s Licensing Officer, stated in his report that the illegal sale of the medication posed serious health risks. He warned that 200mg doses could lead to fatal outcomes for individuals with heart conditions, including heart attacks or dangerous heart rhythm problems.
Malone also highlighted the risk of severe drops in blood pressure if the pills were combined with other medications or recreational drugs. The shop was also selling poppers, a recreational drug, which police noted could be particularly dangerous if mixed with Sildenafil. During inspections, officers found unmarked bottles containing clear liquid, which staff claimed were poppers but could not be verified.
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The staff member present during both police visits was not listed on the premises licence and had no training in selling medication. Malone noted that the individual was unable to provide the required incident log, a breach of the shop’s licensing conditions. During a second visit in May, police found the shop operating with another unapproved employee, and all Sildenafil and poppers had been removed.
Council inspection finds compliance
Camden Council’s licensing team inspected the premises in June, a month after the final police visit. The team reported that the shop was compliant with all amended and additional conditions. Despite this, the council must now weigh the police evidence against the shop’s record of compliance when making its decision.
Separately, one resident has complained to the council about the shop’s signage, describing it as offensive in an area with many school-aged children. The complaint will also be considered during the 6 August hearing.
What happens next
The Blue Rose’s licence application will be heard by Camden’s Licensing Sub-Committee on 6 August. The committee will review the police evidence, the council’s inspection report, and the resident’s complaint before making a decision. If the licence is revoked, the shop will be required to cease trading as a sex establishment.
Residents who wish to submit representations to the committee can do so in writing before the hearing. Details on how to make a submission are available on Camden Council’s website.
Questions this report answers
+What did the police find at the Blue Rose shop?
Metropolitan Police found Sildenafil pills, including 200mg tablets, sold illegally by unapproved staff. The shop was also selling poppers, and officers discovered unmarked bottles containing clear liquid, which staff claimed were poppers but could not be verified.
+Why is the Blue Rose licence being reviewed?
The licence is being reviewed because police found the shop selling regulated medication without a licence and employing unapproved staff. Camden Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will decide on 6 August whether to revoke the licence based on this evidence.
+What are the health risks of the pills sold at the shop?
The 200mg Sildenafil tablets pose serious risks, including heart attacks or dangerous heart rhythm problems for individuals with heart conditions. The pills can also cause severe drops in blood pressure if combined with other medications or recreational drugs like poppers.
+How can residents have their say on the licence decision?
Residents can submit written representations to Camden Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee before the 6 August hearing. Details on how to make a submission are available on the council’s website.
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