COPS seized a gun and suspected drugs in a trendy restaurant during it’s launch party when the venue

was packed with stars.

Love Island stars Arabella Chi, Molly Smith and Tom Clare attended the launch party for new restaurant

and bar Habbibi in Manchester on Saturday night.

A clutch of Corrie stars past and present also attended the glitzy launch.

Elle Mulvaney who plays Amy Barlow, Harriet Bibby who played Summer Spellman, Adam Hussain who plays Aadi Alahan and soap legend Shobna Gulati who famously played Aadi’s mum Sunita all attended.

There is no suggestion any of the stars in attendance were in any way linked to the firearm or to the suspected drugs.

GMP confirmed they recovered a firearm and suspected drugs from the restaurant in the trendy Spinningfields area of the city centre. No arrests have been made.

Owner Zack Issak said that when staff found the gun it was stored in a safe until police arrived.

The restaurant boss added that the gun was not loaded and that there was no danger to the public.

Mr Issak said: “We are saddened and shocked to confirm that on
the evening of Saturday 8th June, during our Manchester launch event, a member of the Habbibi team discovered a firearm on site.

“As a venue we immediately took all appropriate action, notifying the police and securing the weapon in our safe until officers arrived to safely remove the firearm from the premises.

“The police were able to confirm that the firearm was not loaded.
All of our guests were completely safe and at no stage was there any wider danger.

“There is an ongoing police investigation so we are limited with the information we can share at this time.

“This is of course not how we wanted to start our journey, to join the vibrant and buoyant hospitality scene in Manchester as a new venue.

“However we want to reassure all of our guests and the residents of this great city that this is an isolated incident.

“We will share further information as and when we are able to, and will continue to work closely with the police.

“Whilst we are still in shock at the incident, we would like to thank everyone who has supported us so far and look forward to
welcoming you all to join us at Habbibi and to show people how amazing the culinary scene in this great city is!”

Habbibi , said to be inspired by the food and culture of Dubai, is backed by international social influencer and boxer Abdu Rozik.

Rozik is famous in boxing circles and made an appearance at the during KSI and Tommy Fury’s boxing match in Manchester last year.

A police spokesperson said: “At around 8.45pm on Saturday 8 June 2024, we were called to reports of a firearm being located at a business property on Hardman Boulevard in the city centre.

“Our officers attended and recovered the firearm in question. A quantity of suspected drugs were also seized and sent for testing.

“The firearm was made safe at the scene and no arrests have been made. Investigations are ongoing.”