Understand
Southend councillors consider measures to curb high street vape, phone and barber shops
Overview
Councillors in Southend-on-Sea are debating a motion to prevent an over-concentration of vape shops, mobile phone outlets, and barber shops on the city's High Street. The local authority is considering refusing to lease council-owned units for these businesses, amidst concerns from officials that such a high density of similar stores damages the local economy and deters shoppers. While the council faces challenges intervening in privately owned units, new government rules requiring planning permission for vape shops and extended closure powers for premises linked to organised crime are providing additional regulatory tools.
Key points
- Southend-on-Sea High Street currently hosts 16 mobile phone outlets, 11 vape units, and nine barber shops.
- A motion brought by Reform UK councillors proposes that the local authority stops leasing council-owned units to these specific types of businesses.
- Labour councillor Matt Dent supports the motion, stating that an over-concentration of these shops damages the local economy and discourages visitors.
- Previous raids on Southend High Street retailers uncovered counterfeit goods, illegal hand-rolling tobacco, vapes, and cigarettes.
- New government measures require vape shops to obtain planning permission before opening and double shop closure powers for premises linked to organised crime from six months to a year.