Hundreds of shisha pipes seized in cafe raids
HUNDREDS of shisha pipes have been seized and destroyed by the council following a crackdown on illegal bars.
Four bars on Wilmslow Road, in Rusholme, were found to be operating as shisha cafes but they did not have the relevant planning permission from Manchester City Council. Antalya, Threesixty, Dubai and Wasnah cafes, all located on the Curry Mile, were previously warned they were breaching planning laws.
However, the owners refused to reach a settlement with the council and officers over the last month seized pipes, tobacco and other paraphernalia from inside the bars.
A total of 338 hookah pipes and associated equipment, thought to be worth £10,000, were seized from the bars and destroyed.
HMRC officers also confiscated around 93kg of shisha tobacco, resulting in an avoidance of an estimated £11,500 of duty.
During the raids officers handed out fixed penalty notices for health and safety breaches, such as for shisha being smoked indoors.
The owners of all four bars have been ordered to cease trading as shisha businesses. If they fail to comply, the owners could be prosecuted, fined or face further confiscations.
Councillor Angeliki Stogia, Executive Member for Environment, Planning and Transport, said:”It is deeply disappointing to see that in spite of repeated warnings the owners of these establishments continued to act like they were above the law. I hope we have sent a clear message that this is not the case.
“Using planning closure notices is a new approach being taken by the council to combat individuals who ignore planning law simply to make easy money.”
Councillor Rabnawaz Akbar, executive member for neighbourhoods, echoed his support for the action taken.