People power has led to the closure of the last two legal high shops in Angus.
Declaration in Arbroath and The High Life in Montrose will shut their doors for the final time next month after community campaigns led their owner to decide running them was “too much hassle”.
Angus police commander Gordon Milne said he was glad to see the back of premises that sold “hideous substances”.
There has been confusion over the shops’ future after “closing down sale” signs were put in their windows on Monday, with employees unsure if this was just a marketing ploy or if the shops were to be rebranded.
However, in an interview with The Courier, the Aberdeen-based businessman behind the shops, Liston Pacitti, confirmed they were to close “in the next few weeks”.
The news has been celebrated by local politicians and the organisers of community groups Arbroath Against Legal High Drugs and Montrose Against Legal Highs.
Mr Pacitti, who refused to confirm his identity, revealed the news at the Declaration shop on Brothock Bridge.
He said: “It’s far too much hassle running these shops and I now plan to close them both in the next few weeks. It’s been hassle from the police and other people jumping on the bandwagon.
“I had considered turning Declaration into an e-cigarette shop but have now decided to close Declaration and High Life in Montrose for good.”
It is understood Mr Pacitti will continue to operate two other “head” shops in Perth and Aberdeen.
Chief Inspector Milne said: “Despite the owner’s protestations that these shops simply sold innocent bath salts, incense, research chemicals and plant food, we know this is simply not true.
“These items are supplied in such circumstances that they were intended and being bought for human consumption.
“Whilst domestic and international legislators consider how to deal with the wider new psychoactive substance problem, I am really pleased that in a short space of time, Angus will not have shop fronts in the centres of our town where theses hideous creations are being touted under the noses of our young people.”
The closures follow another shop selling new psychoactive substances Misty Heaven in Fisheracre, Arbroath also going out of business earlier this year.
Arbroath minister Rev Martin Fair, who has been one of the leaders of the Arbroath Against Legal Highs group, said: “We are very pleased because we were always of the mind that they were bad for the towns.
“We are not nave. We are quite aware that people could get the same substances online and therefore, there has to be a bigger campaign for authorities nationally and internationally to tackle that.
“But this has been a great example of a community coming together and saying we don’t want this.
“The chance of people getting started down the path of legal highs was heightened by having shops where people can just walk in off the streets where they live.
“We are very pleased that, in a few weeks, both Arbroath shops will have closed.”
Lyn Torrance, who has led the Montrose Against Legal Highs group against the High Life shop in the town’s High Street said it was “excellent news”.
“This is welcomed by all of us who have worked hard to get this done,” she said.
“However, it is only one step in our campaign against the selling of the harmful substances which have led to loss of lives, hospitalisation, brain damage and had hugely adverse effect on so many people.”
Montrose councillor David May, a member of the Montrose group, added: “I have heard about people in our town whose lives have been turned upside down due to taking substances, some of which are lethal and I am also pleased to hear this news.
“However, our group will be very vigilant to make sure there is no reopening of the shop under another name or these substances being sold elsewhere is our towns.”
North East MSP Alex Johnstone described the news as a “victory for local campaigners”.
He added: “The campaigners sent a very clear message that these substances and the shops selling them, are not wanted in the community.”