The owner of a health food shop has won his battle to stay open after police forced him to close and threatened him with a £1000 fine.
Officers told Dean Hill, the owner of Serious Nutrition in Maghull, that the ongoing coronavirus restrictions meant he had no right to be open.
The 28-year-old has since lost a days worth of in store trade with customers missing out on products while the situation was dealt with.
Mr Hill, who is also from Maghull, said three officers entered his store on Tuesday afternoon to ask why he was open.
He told the ECHO : "I explained that I'm an essential business so I'm allowed to be open, but they disputed this.
"I explained that I sell food, health supplements, vitamins, all things that are crucial to my customers for living a healthy lifestyle.
"But they didn't agree that I should be open."
Dean said that officers cited a number of reasons they didn't believe his business to be essential before telling him he would have to close.
He was also told that if he didn't comply then he would be issued with a £1000 fine for breaching Covid-19 regulations.
Dean, who has remained open through the recent local lockdowns as an essential retailer, said the incident was frustrating and upsetting.
He said: "I wouldn't be staying open if I didn't think my business was helping people live healthier lives.
"I have even reduced my hours to keep people as safe as possible and have put measures in place to makes the store covid secure.
"It was a strange situation as I felt the officers weren't listening to me and didn't think what I do is important.
"They thought I had no right to be open but I can close my shop, head to an off licence no problem and go home to drown my sorrows."
Dean explained that his customers range from younger gym goers to elderly women who come to him for advice on nutrition and products to help them stay healthy.
He also sells vitamins and high protein meals which he says often attract customers from all walks of life.
He added: "I even have some customers who are police officers and have been in the store over the last few weeks and not seen any problem with me being open."
After closing his store on Tuesday afternoon, Dean got in contact with Sefton Council to confirm that he was in fact an essential business.
On Thursday morning, a member of council staff responded and told him he was allowed to open.
The email said that food retailers, including food markets, supermarkets convenience stores and corner shops were allowed to remain open under Tier 4 restrictions.
Sefton Council added: "In relation to this premises, it is registered in accordance with the appropriate food legislation EU Regulations 852 (Food Premises) as a food retailer and is therefore allowed to remain open at this present time."
When he reopened on Thursday morning, Dean posted an update to his customers on Instagram to say that the incident has been a "disappointing turn of events".
He added: "I can’t lie, it’s been an incredibly disappointing turn of events up to now.
"It saddens me that for no valid reason these three police officers decided to take it upon themselves to shut us down, and they did so in such a terrible manner.
"With no reasoning or respect.
"However, I’m incredibly happy to announce we will be back open today, business as usual and we can continue to offer our customers the crucial service we do."
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A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "“Officers attended Serious Nutrition on Deyes Lane Maghull, on Tuesday 26 January, following reports that a non-essential business was operating in breach of COVID-19 regulations.
“We have since linked in with colleagues at Sefton Council, who have confirmed with the shop owner that they can remain open.
“Officers will continue to respond to potential COVID-19 legislation breaches across Merseyside.
"This is to ensure Public Health and Government guidance is being adhered to, and is for the safety of all residents and business owners.”
