A shisha lounge in Rochdale has been ordered to close after environmental health officers found dangerous levels of carbon monoxide and alleged breaches of smoke free laws.
Manchester Magistrates' Court granted the closure order for Phantom The Lounge on Maclure Road on 24 July.
Rochdale Borough Council said its environmental health service secured the closure order following a series of routine inspections at the premises.
According to the council, officers found the business had been operating with smoking taking place in a substantially enclosed area, which it said was in breach of smoke free regulations under the Health Act 2006.
The inspections also identified practices in the kitchen which the council said created a serious risk to the health of customers and staff.
The council said officers found hot coals being smouldered using an electric fan in an unventilated area, leading to excessive levels of carbon monoxide on the premises.
It said carbon monoxide readings exceeded 100 parts per million in the kitchen. The council added that Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service required customers and staff to leave the premises on two occasions because of safety concerns.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police supported the council during its investigation and court application.
The council said it gave the business an opportunity to address the issues before legal action was taken. It said the owners did not make the required changes and continued trading, leading environmental health officers to seek a closure order through the courts.
Councillor Tricia Ayrton, Rochdale Borough Council's deputy leader and portfolio holder for Climate Change and Environment, said, "The high levels of CO found put the health of customers and staff at risk. We know how deadly CO poisoning is and it's thanks to our environmental health officers and partners for stepping in that people's lives weren't put in danger any further.
"Health regulations are in place to make sure businesses operate safely for both customers and workers. Action will be taken against businesses that fail to co operate in achieving safe standards."
Carbon monoxide is a colourless and odourless gas that can cause serious illness, unconsciousness and death. The Health and Safety Executive states that workplace exposure should not exceed 100 parts per million over 15 minutes or an average of 20 parts per million over an eight hour working day.
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