A JUICE bar owner from Wrexham will find out this week if he will be fined by Trading Standards.

Raw Juice in Rhosddu Road has been accused of making unsubstantiated claims about the health benefits of juices and smoothies, an allegation firmly denied by the owner.

Bar owner Gareth Roberts, who started the business with his partner Leanne, insists they adhere to vegan principles and smoothies and juices such as ‘Skinny Jeans’, ‘The Hangover’, ‘The Energiser’ have proved popular with customers.

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But couple are under investigation by Wrexham Council Trading Standards officers who are looking into claims that the business is falsely advertising health benefits from the consumption of drinks and shakes and following a pre-Christmas postponement they will be interviewed under caution by Trading Standards officers on Friday, January 11.

The juice bar owners says their customers are outraged by the Trading Standards intervention and a petition on the change.org website contains more than 1,000 names and has received the unanimous backing and support of the town's residents.

Mr Roberts said: "They have issues with 70-80% of our menu because they say we're making health claims. I've put everything I've got into this business and I feel like we're being victimised.

"I have a family, two kids and a mortgage and opening this business was a big step and a really big deal for me."

Mr Roberts claims that trying to make the business a success is difficult enough and that the council don't seem to have issues with other businesses in the town who are selling unhealthy food and products. The bar uses honeydew melon, water melon carrot and gingers to concoct the juice ‘Skinny Jeans’ juice, which is one of the titles that has been flagged up by Trading Standards staff.

Another label said to be under investigation is the smoothie ‘The Antioxidant’, blended from blackberries, blueberries, acai powder and watermelon.

Mr Roberts added: “All we are trying to do is promote a healthier lifestyle in Wrexham providing nutritional smoothies and juices.

“There are so many unhealthy fast food places in the town, but we have built up some regular trade and our customers are both young and old. All our ingredients have been backed up with research and evidence.

"I just hope it's going to end up good for us, because any type of fine, which I've been told could be anything up the £10,000, would put me out of business and that would be drastic."