ACCRINGTON SHOP REMOVES FROM SALE 'DRUG ITEMS'

A SCHOOL uniform supplier has removed all drugs related items which
were on sale in his shop.

Rohni Vij, owner of Abbey Street Shopping Centre, in Accrington, has
returned pipes, grinding machines, branded tobacco tins,
cannabis-logo pipe screens, cannabis-leaf ash trays and lighters he
stocked in his shop to suppliers.

Mr Vij took steps after he was branded irresponsible by community leaders.

But Mr Vij, who said he did not want to upset anybody, maintains that
he was not doing anything wrong or illegal.

And has advised customers who has issues with anything being sold in
his shop to speak to him directly to resolve any problems.

Abbey Street Shopping Centre, in Accrington, sells scout, brownie and
guide uniforms and is recommended to parents by schools.

The drugs related items were placed on the counter next to the till
so his staff could control who bought them.

Mr Vij said: "We didn't want to upset people and have sent the stock
back to the supplier following complaints.

"I am anti-drugs and don't like them.

"I have respected what other people have said about the items and I
have removed them.

"I haven't done anything wrong or illegal but I don't want to upset
my customers.

"If anyone has any problems I urge them to speak to me about it. We
controlled who the items were sold to.

"If customers had come to me and told me I would have removed it."

The store is recommended to parents by the majority of the schools in
the area, and websites for Peel Park Primary, Accrington Academy and
Accrington Benjamin Hargreaves list the store as the main local supplier.

Mr Vij - whose store also sells adult sports wear - said the
grinders, besides being used for drugs, were for grinding herbs and medicine.

Peter Britcliffe, Leader of Hyndburn Council, said: "We have to
congratulate them for being socially responsible.

"I understand businesses are trying to make a living but it is
excellent to see he is being socially responsible.

"He probably hadn't thought much about it until it was highlighted to
him. Well done to him."