A LEGAL high shop that closed after threats of court action has reopened just days later — one mile away.

Nirvana was "not needed or wanted" in Bolton town centre, Cllr Derek Burrows said after the shop voluntarily shut its premises in Bold Street ahead of a court hearing scheduled for last week.

Police and Bolton Council had tried to force the closure after several instances of anti-social behaviour outside the shop.

It was claimed by the council and police that groups were gathering outside the shop waiting for it to open and causing disturbances in the town centre allegedly after consuming goods bought in Nirvana.

Police said other shopkeepers had been racially abused or threatened after asking groups of people to move on.

But after closing two weeks ago, the store has now reopened in Tonge Moor Road, again selling legal highs as well as drug-related items such as bongs and pipes.

The shop's manager, Janis Robinovich, said Nirvana's business was legal, and claimed Bolton Council was "trying to chase them out of the town".

Some of the products sold at Nirvana include Bad Santa and Black Mamba, a legal, synthetic equivalent of cannabis.

Nirvana sells its goods as not for human consumption and only to over-18s — but police said it seemed many people were smoking the contents bought in Bold Street.

Mr Robinovich said: "There were problems with the behaviour of our customers and we had to move because of complaints from businesses next door.

"We lost a lot of customers since that. More than half have gone.

"I think the man from the council is chasing us and is not going to leave us alone."

Nirvana was in Bold Street for five to six months, according to Mr Robinovich, and "always co-operated with police".

Police and the council used the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act in trying to force the closure of Nirvana - a new law that allows the authorities to close premises if they can prove they are linked to anti-social behaviour.

It is claimed that a spate of incidents relating to Nirvana in Bold Street happened while the council's Winter Wonderland attractions were open before Christmas.

Police also reported seeing people unconscious and having fits after taking legal highs.

Legal highs contain one or more substances which produce similar effects to illegal drugs, such as cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

But experts say they can be extremely dangerous, as there has not been enough research about them to understand their potency, or adverse effects if used with other substances such as alcohol.

Mr Robinovich added: "It is a tricky situation. We sell them as not fit for human consumption.

"Our products are aroma and incense. That is how we sell them."

When asked about customers smoking the products, he said: "That is what happens.

"That is their choice. You can buy a knife and kill someone and say you are using it for cooking."

A council spokesman said: “We are aware that Nirvana has reopened at an alternative premises and we will be monitoring the situation for any reports of anti-social behaviour.”

Anti-social behaviour can be reported to police on 101 or Bolton Council on 01204 333333.

The Tonge Moor Road shop is one of a chain. Nirvana's owner James Bellamy declined to comment on the recent move.