Powers to curb vape and mobile shops considered

Southend-on-Sea City Council's cabinet will consider what powers it has to curb the "excessive" number of vape, mobile repair and barber shops it has on its High Street.

Reform UK tabled a motion at full council, which was deferred to the Labour-led cabinet that runs the council, to decide what to do.

Labour's Matt Dent was supportive of the motion which called on the council to restrict these businesses opening in council-owned commercial property.

"We are definitely receptive to the aims of this motion," Dent said, adding: "When it comes to full cabinet we are hoping that there is something we can do about it."

The Labour cabinet member said there was an issues of "over concentration of vape and barber shops", adding: "It's an issue that's brought up time and again."

Reform's James O'Rourke told full council: "If someone wants to start a business they should be able to do so where they want, if they believe it will be successful.

"However, as local council we have responsibility to ensure our High Street serves our residents and has a diverse range of shops, restaurants and pubs."

The Reform group's deputy leader said High Streets were "dying" across the country because they did not have the shops people wanted and needed.

He said 16 mobile, 11 vape and nine barber shops "down half a mile of High Street is clearly excessive".

Southend-on-Sea City Council owns the Victoria Centre and can decide what shops and businesses set up within it.

Vape shops have been able to set up in commercial premises mostly without requiring a planning application.

Councillors feel they do have existing powers they can explore enabling them to reduce the number on the High Street.

Dent also pointed to an announcement made by the prime minister this summer, that councils would get new powers and vape shops would have to apply for planning permission.

Earlier this summer, Basildon councillors voted in favour of a Reform motion to ban vape shops and barbers opening in town centre premises owned by the local authority.

Southend-on-Sea City Council officers will prepare a report which will be discussed at a cabinet meeting later this year.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.