A LEGAL highs shop which opened up in Tonge Moor after being forced out of the town centre has now shut for good.

Nirvana in Tonge Moor Road closed its shop this week and is leaving Bolton after the council and police had concerns over the products it was selling.

The council served a Community Protection Notice on May 1 — banning Nirvana from selling substances which make up its legal highs.

The shop did not have to close, but the owner has told authorities he will not be reopening in Bolton again as the business would not be profitable if those products were banned.

It moved from Bold Street in the town centre in February after Bolton Council applied to the courts for a closure order.

Police and the council focused on the negative effects of the legal highs, which are similar to those of illegal drugs such as cocaine, cannabis and ecstasy.

A council spokesman said: “We had a genuine concern both about the safety of these products and the impact they were having on the individuals taking them and also the wider community.

"It was difficult to find a solution, but by working with the police to bring a community protection notice, we feel we have sent a clear message that these types of businesses and the issues they bring are not welcome in Bolton.

"We are pleased that the owner of the business recognised that this type of business is not needed or wanted in our town and decided to close the shop.”

As with the Bold Street shop, there have been reports of anti-social behaviour.

Insp Wayne Readfern, of Bolton North neighbourhood policing team, said: "It is fantastic for the community that we have been able to reach this outcome.

"The work we do with partners in Bolton is second to none. I think we take it for granted sometimes.

"It is only when you speak to colleagues elsewhere that you realise we have got it right in Bolton.

"We have acted on reports of anti-social behaviour and disorder from residents."

Legal highs can be extremely dangerous, as only limited research has been done into their potency, or adverse effects if mixed with alcohol.

On May 1, Bolton Council distributed warning letters to the owners, manager and workers in the shop, asking for them to cease the selling, offering or exposing for sale of any new psychoactive substances, research chemicals or legal highs in the borough.

Failure to comply with a Community Protection Notice can see an individual fined £2,500 and a business £20,000.