Vape shops in Windsor could "potentially kill" the high street, businesses say, as local MP Jack Rankin warns that a promised government crackdown "falls short" of what is needed.
The Berkshire town, home to Windsor Castle, an official residence of King Charles and a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. But residents and traders are concerned that the proliferation of vape and phone repair shops on Peascod Street is giving the wrong impression.
Six vape shops counted on one street
On a visit to Peascod Street on Wednesday, October 21, this publication counted six shops where vapes packaged in rainbow colours and fruit flavours lined shelves from floor to ceiling. In one stretch, two vape shops stood opposite each other.
MP Jack Rankin said: "The number of dodgy vape shops, phone repair spots and other obviously dubious shops on Peascod Street is scandalous. My constituents are fed up."
Brian McCormack, a franchisee of Snappy Snaps in Windsor, said vape shops have proliferated, and rival stores would have to shift a lot of product to cover the cost of doing business. He said: "From my perspective, vape shops don't give residents a reason to come into the area. Potentially, they are killing the high street."
Businesses question viability
Mr McCormack added that increasing numbers of vape shops reduce choice for shoppers, saying: "I see them as an irritation. They're not bringing variety to the high street, nothing of use. When there are so many with the same offering, you have to question their viability as businesses."
A local shop owner, who would only share his first name, Ali, said: "There are quite a few vape shops here. Are they good? No, they're not. You see a lot of teens with them. In a lovely town like this, is it correct? No, it's not." The 50-year-old added: "Tourists coming here want to see a bit history and quality shops."
Nisar Noori, manager of vape and mobile repair shop Mobilink, which has traded in Peascod Street for 10 years, suggested a few unscrupulous vape retailers are giving the rest a bad name. He said: "There's a lot of negative perception of vape shops, but it's not illegal to sell vapes... As a business we want to be able to sell what we are allowed to sell."
Retailers welcome planned rules
Mr Noori welcomed Government plans to require planning permission for new vape shops, adding he could not see how some existing stores survive. He said: "The margins on these products are very low. If they are just selling vapes and buy it legally, how can they survive?" He questioned how a legal 2ml product amounting to 600 puffs at his store can cost £8.99 while a nearby competitor offers the same at £10 for four.
Peter Daniel, 89, chairman of Windsor's Daniel department store, said vaping as a habit was awful. Mr Daniel, who started working in the family-run business at 14, said: "There's no quality about it. It's just terrible. But the other way to look at it is no one else will take [the premises]." He added that despite claims to the contrary, there is still life in retail.
Sharon and Andy, owners of independent luxury interior design store So Chic, who would only give their first names, suggested increasing numbers of vape shops are a sign of the demise of Britain's high streets. Andy, 68, said: "Not enough is being done to help businesses. Rates have doubled. Parking prices have doubled. Ten to 15 years ago we had Next, Karen Millen, Fenwicks. All gone. Retail is finished in this country. I don't know how vape shops survive." Sharon said the Government's planned vape shop crackdown would be helpful, adding: "How many vape shops do you need?"
Government plans and industry response
The Prime Minister in August announced plans to "save" high streets "hollowed out" by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops and rogue businesses. Mr Burnham's proposals include handing new powers to councils and communities so they get a "real say" in what can open in town centres. Ministers will require anyone who wants to open a vape shop to secure planning permission and tighten rules to stop businesses pretending to be convenience stores when they are actually selling vapes.
Figures from the Centre for Social Justice found vape and tobacco shop numbers have risen to almost 2,200 since 2016.
Mr Rankin welcomed the Prime Minister's acknowledgement of the problem, but said his solution "falls short". He said: "Many of these shops simply can't be profitable as honest businesses: many will be propping up their margins by selling illicit products. Closing them down without proper enforcement will just push that criminal activity elsewhere and leave our high streets empty. What we need is a properly funded Trading Standards service with the resources to investigate and punish these dealers."
The Conservative MP said a licensing scheme which would see the proceeds ring-fenced for enforcement would protect honest convenience stores while cracking down on dodgy dealers. He added: "If the Prime Minister really cared about the high street, he’d be cutting business rates, reversing the rise in employer National Insurance and bringing down energy costs, so that the businesses we want to see can actually thrive."
John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association, said he understood why people may be concerned about the number of vape shops appearing on their high streets. He added: "However, the presence of several stores in close proximity is not, in itself, evidence of wrongdoing, and it is important responsible businesses are not unfairly tarnished by suspicion. There is also an important distinction between a legitimate specialist vape retailer and a business that simply sells vaping products alongside other goods or services. Specialist retailers employ knowledgeable staff who can provide valuable advice and support to adult smokers looking to move away from cigarettes. While vapes should be sold where cigarettes are sold, the UKVIA has long argued that inappropriate outlets, such as hairdressers, nail bars and sweet shops, should not be permitted to sell vaping products."
Mr Dunne said the UKVIA absolutely agrees that Trading Standards needs to be properly resourced to investigate suspected illegal activity and take meaningful action against those breaking the law. He added: "This is why the UKVIA has consistently called for a comprehensive licensing scheme covering vape retailers and distributors, backed by robust enforcement and substantial penalties for offenders." A UKVIA estimate shows a retail vape licensing scheme could generate upwards of £50million a year.
A Government Spokesperson said: "We know people are fed up with vape shops blighting their local high streets, including in towns like Windsor. That’s why we’re exploring tougher rules to give local leaders control over vape shops in their areas and are providing £30million in funding per year for agencies like Trading Standards to tackle dodgy vape stores."
