A shop has been forced to close after a court branded it a potential ‘nuisance to the public’ and centre of ‘disorder’.

Horwich Mini-Market on Lee Lane was shut down ‘with immediate effect’ after Bolton Council successfully obtained a closure order from the courts on September 5.

Trading Standards officers are Bolton Council said action came after a number of unannounced visits to premises which resulted in a large quantity of illicit products such as vapes and cigarettes being seized.

A copy of the order has been posted on the shutters of the shop.

The action means means the business must remain closed and nobody is allowed in the premises for a three-month period up to December 5.

An email from trading standards to councillors said: “The seized goods consist of illegal tobacco and vaping products, that present harm and risk to the borough’s residents.

“The local authority will take all measures available to combat the sale of illicit goods in our communities.”

Following the order being granted trading standards officers headed straight to the business to oversee the closure process.

The order gives details on the grounds it was granted.

The notice reads: “The court has found on the balance of probabilities in relation to Horwich Mini Market that a person has engaged or if the order is not made is likely to engage, in disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour on the premises or that the use of the premises has resulted, or if the order is not made is likely to result, in serious nuisance to members of the public or that there has been, or if the order is not made is likely to be, disorder near to those premises.”

In June of this year a convenience store was ordered to close following an investigation by Bolton Council Trading Standard into the sale of illegal tobacco and cigarettes.

Town Hall chiefs the closure order was secured following a 'lengthy investigation'.

Ranya Market, on Market Street in Farnworth, was ordered to shut for three months.