In a locked room at the back of the shop, was the secret that has now seen it closed

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A city centre shop has been ordered to temporarily close after a stash of illegal vapes were discovered in a locked room. Police and council officers say they were abused as they rumbled the illegal activities at Matadar News and Souvenirs, on Piccadilly.

It has now been ordered to shut its doors for eight weeks by a court order. A joint investigation between Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Manchester City Council was launched after reports of illegal sales of nicotine products and reports it was allegedly selling vapes to underage kids. READ MORE: Four arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after man stabbed and schools placed on lockdown In 2022, 679 non-compliant vapes were found at the shop and seized.

That same year a 14 year-old was sold nicotine products as part of a test purchase. On August 27 this year, officers paid another visit, and discovered a 'significant number of illicit products.' "This included 1,642 vapes, 146 cigarettes and a number of suspected counterfeit items", Manchester City Council said.

In a statement, the town hall said trading standards officers were initially refused entry to a locked room at the back of the shop. "It took the discovery of a four-digit code by accompanying GMP officers to gain entry where eventually, a large number of illegal vapes were found", they said. "It was during this time that officers were subjected to verbal abuse by a male staff member when carrying out their work." A closure order was granted by Manchester Magistrates Court on Tuesday.