A CITY centre newsagents closed down by police earlier this week has lodged an appeal against the closure in the High Court.

Barkers Newsagents - which has a reputation for selling replica weapons and legal highs - was issued with a closure notice by officers on Monday. An application to confirm a closure order was due to be heard at Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court yesterday.

But the case did not go ahead because Barkers owner Pervez Abbas has launched a challenge against the closure with the High Court, taking the matter out of magistrates' hands.

Mr Abbas has insisted that he sells nothing illegal in the Sunbridge Road shop.

Khan Solicitors, who represent Mr Abbas and the store, issued a statement yesterday.

It stated: "As a result of the police serving Barkers Newsagents with a closure notice on October 6, 2014, proceedings were issued at the High Court on October 7, 2014, challenging that notice on the basis that it could not be justified under legislation.

"As a result, the High Court has stayed the police’s application to the magistrates’ court for a closure order.

"Mr Abbas maintains he runs a lawful business, selling nothing illegal. It is noteworthy that the police did not seize any of his stock when he was served with the notice.

"Mr Abbas is prepared to co-operate with the police. However, if they act unlawfully, and without notice, then they will be met with a legal response such as happened today."

The Barkers' case is due to be first heard at the High Court next week - with a directions hearing.

Mr Abbas can now re-open the shop, but a spokesman for him said he would not be opening the business at this time, pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

Monday's closure notice - which was issued on behalf of Superintendent Vincent Firth, of West Yorkshire Police - took effect immediately. The notice said there had been “anti-social behaviour on the premises", and that the shop was associated with "persistent disorder or nuisance" and "persistent serious nuisance to members of the public" for the three months prior to Monday.

A police spokesman said the operation was swift and without incident, and added that no stock was seized from the premises.

The shop - and specifically what it sells - has long been a controversial issue in Bradford. In March this year, the shop was raided by police who seized thousands of samples of ‘legal highs’. These are drugs that are not prohibited by law and which can be sold legally to people over 18.