A notorious Manchester City Centre party flat where “industrial-sized” canisters of laughing gas were used has been closed after making the lives of its neighbours miserable.
Today Manchester City Council has successfully secured a closure order against a flat located in Owen Street, in the Deansgate Square tower block complex.
The order will prevent any person other than the landlord, management and property agents, emergency services and council staff from entering the property for a period of 3 months, commencing from Friday October 11, 2024.
The Council was first made aware of issues relating to this property during February this year, when a complaint was received by the Anti-Social Behaviour Team from a resident experiencing issues from a neighbouring flat.
These issues related to noise and disorder from organised parties taking place in the premises, with loud music and other disturbances going on until the early hours of the morning. Evidence gathered over subsequent months seemed to indicate that the flat was being used exclusively for parties.
On March 7, following a number of failed attempts to contact the owner of the property – Sam Chaudhry – who lives in a neighbouring apartment – was served with a premises closure warning. This made them aware that if steps were not taken to address the cause of complaints, further action would be taken.
Unfortunately, the following day the Council was made aware of a further incident on March 7, relating to intimidating behaviour by Mr Chaudry. This resulted in the complainant fearing for their safety.
During another incident recorded during the night of July 12-13, Greater Manchester Police were called to a disturbance on the premises, resulting in industrial-sized canisters of laughing gas being seized and removed from the property. Additional incidents also took place where people attending parties were observed using nitrous oxide, as well as other suspected illegal drugs.
On July 23, the Council informed Mr Chaudhry that an application was being made by the Council to serve a closure order on his property. The Council was supported in its application by GMP, who agreed a Closure Order was necessary to prevent further criminal activity taking place at this property.
