Another shop on ' counterfeit street' has been shut down after 11 different businesses were found trading and selling fake goods. Bury New Road, to the north of Manchester city centre, has become synonymous with shops selling knock off products, from fake Dior jewellery and Givenchy perfume.
On July 13, Manchester Magistrates court granted a closure order for 57-59 Bury New Road, Cheetham Hill, which was purporting as a newsagents. On inspection, thousands of pounds worth of fake items were found, with 11 separate businesses operating in seven different units within the premises.
A well organised network of 'spotters' - people who alert the counterfeit shops to the presence of the authorities - was also discovered during these raids. The council say they had received numerous reports of these spotters causing harassment and intimidating locals and others visiting the area.
Council and police have intervened at this premises before. In 2020 and 2021, it failed a 'test purchase' exercise carried out by brand representatives whose fake goods were being sold. Private investigators working on behalf of these brands have previously pursued prosecutions against those at this site, the council said.
The premises has now been ordered to close for at least three months.
Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: “Anti-social behaviour is awful for anyone who has to experience it. It can drastically reduce our quality of life, ruin neighbourhoods and leave a lasting mark on our communities.
“In the Strangeways and Cheetham Hill area we know the issues that surround counterfeit shops such as this, with many people being hassled and intimidated by the spotters which lurk outside their doorways, and of course we know the wider issues with the criminality which is generated by these businesses.
“I want this closure to send a message of encouragement to our residents so they know that we are playing our part to stamp out crime and ASB. But also, I would urge them to get in touch with us so that if they are affected we can work with our partners to intervene and make our communities safer for all.”
This ongoing work against 'counterfeit street' coincides with 'Anti-Social Behaviour Awareness Week' from July 18 to 22. During this week the council looks to highlight the issues around ASB, but also solutions on how communities can be made safer through collective action.
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