Bolton Council shop closure orders could be 'game changing'

Just last month the Ranya Market on Market Street, Farnworth, was ordered to close for three months by Bolton Council after illegal tobacco was found hidden in the walls.

But now questions have been raised about whether the council’s powers could be enhanced to allow them to force businesses like these to close for longer.

Cllr Abdul Atcha, of Rumworth, said: “There was a press release about a closure order of a local shop mini market in June for selling health harming illegal products and not operating properly.

“The press statement said it is for three months.

Illegal cigarettes were hidden in the walls (Image: Bolton Council)

“Three months is not really very long, and in these cases, the council can have been or be receiving complaints from the public about the premises.”

Ranya Market was ordered to shut after a closure order was granted at Bolton Magistrates Court in June under the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

This came after a series of seven raids by trading standards officers from May 2023 to May this year.

They uncovered counterfeit and non-compliant tobacco and cigarettes with a street value of around £16,000 were recovered during the raids.

But following on from the three-month closure order Cllr Atcha asked a full meeting of Bolton Council earlier this week if the authority had further powers in cases like these.

He also asked if the council had the power to prevent people who had been involved in actions like these from opening other premises in the future.

In response, council cabinet member for regulatory services and property Cllr Sue Howarth said that closure orders were not easy to obtain and usually only last for three months.

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But there were cases when these orders could be extended.

Cllr Haworth said: “In some cases the council, as long as they can demonstrate a continuation of criminality, can apply to the courts for a continuation but this would be a maximum for another three months.”

But she said that closure orders could be “game changing for the council” and help protect legitimate businesses.

Cllr Haworth said: “It really does impact legitimate businesses in the area when they are compliant.

“Every day they go to work and run their businesses well.”