Worksop 'legal high' shop has closed

Bing Bong, located on Gateford Road, closed recently and is now available to let.

The shop, which opened in 2014, came under fire after packs of psychoactive substances were seized from the premises by Trading Standards.

However tests on the substances, which included packs of “Go-Gaine” and “Charlie Sheen” proved inconclusive and the store was permitted to remain open.

The exact reason for the closure of the store is not yet known.

However, the Guardian previously spoke to the owner in 2015 who said he was considering closing the shop after the negative feedback he had received from residents.

The news of the shop’s closure has been welcomed by the CEO of Worksop homelessness charity HOPE, Alan Diggles, who claims the shop was fuelling the town’s drug problem.

Mr Diggles said: “It is a real step forward that Bing Bong has closed, a tremendous help for those who have substance misuse issues.

“As it takes away the source that I believe was causing immeasurable damage to people’s long-term health.

“Unfortunately, I do realise that the so called ‘legal highs’ are still available on the internet.”

Councillor Glynn Gilfoyle, chairman of the community safety committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Any business found to flaunt the law can expect to face criminal investigation by the police or the County Council’s Trading Standards team.”