There has been six shops shut down over six months in the town
World of Shisha, Drake Street, Rochdale with closure notice on(Image: Rochdale council)
Six shops have been shut down in as many months over illegal trading in Rochdale. Last week three stores were closed by the courts for dealing illicit goods, according to Rochdale council.
World of Shisha in Rochdale, Green Shop and Darnhill Discount Store, both in Heywood, received closure orders following a court hearing on Tuesday, November 25. The council’s application was supported by its housing standards service, counter fraud team, community safety service, and Greater Manchester Police.
The shops had been operating as ‘fronts’ for the illegal trade of harmful goods. The court heard how all three had repeatedly sold illegal tobacco, despite written warnings.
World of Shisha had opened within three days of another shop on Drake Street, Lezan, being closed down by the trading standards service in October. The same individuals behind Lezan supplied World of Shisha with illegal tobacco from nearby cars and a block of flats, Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court was told.
Suspicious shelves in World of Shisha in Rochdale(Image: Rochdale council)
The local authority explained how the store front aroused suspicion with mostly empty shelves, stocking expired Pot Noodles. Its closure is part of Operation Tetbury, a partnership between Rochdale Borough Council and Greater Manchester Police, to improve community safety in Rochdale Town Centre.
Darnhill Discount Store, was also found on two occasions to be trading counterfeit ‘Labubu’ dolls while also attracting anti-social behaviour in the area, says the councils.
At Green Shop in Heywood, officers found illegal vapes at the premises including inside a car connected to the business, the court heard. An illegal worker employed by the business was also arrested by immigration enforcement following a joint visit with the trading standards team, the council explained.
Boot with illicit tobacco seized by trading standards in Rochdale(Image: Rochdale council)
These closures follow the shutdown of Lezan Food Ltd and Hayati Convenience Store Ltd on Drake Street in October for trading in illicit tobacco.
Coun Trica Ayrton, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for climate change and environment, said: “The council’s trading standards team is continuing to prove that they can work quickly and effectively to clampdown on illegal trading of harmful goods.
“But it doesn’t stop there – they are also being proactive in targeting the landlords who let these activities take place on their own doorsteps.
“We are already compiling evidence for other shops in our sights. This should act as a clear warning to anyone who thinks they can act above the law on our high streets: our team will find you and action will be delivered swiftly.”