Swansea councillors have backed a motion calling for councils to gain more powers to regulate clusters of vape shops, barber shops and nail and beauty bars, amid concerns about illicit trading and the diversity of high street offers.
The motion, brought by Labour cabinet members including Cllr Andrea Harrington, said there was frequently “an unmanaged proliferation of single-type outlets” due to restrictive or outdated planning policy. It said residents and business owners were consistently frustrated at a lack of influence about the diversity of offer on high streets.
Concerns over illegal trading and high street diversity
Cllr Harrington said a responsible vape and tobacco seller in Swansea was losing £2,000 to £3,000 a week because he was being undercut by traders not operating legally. She said she counted five vape shops, seven barber shops and nine takeaways on Morriston’s main shopping street, adding: “We need more choice, more diversity and a high-quality offer.”
The motion also backed a zero-tolerance approach to dereliction, anti-social behaviour and illicit trading that protected honest, taxpaying local traders and restored public pride.
Councillors share experiences of enforcement
Cllr Andrew Williams said working with the council’s Trading Standards team had been “a bit of an eye-opener” and briefed members on an operation involving the council and other agencies which he said took place last week.
Labour councillor David Phillips, an ex-customs officer, said he had seen people outside a premises running around with 200-pack cartons of cigarettes and that nearby police “weren’t interested” when he mentioned it. He also said open drug dealing took place from some premises, warning: “We really need to do something about it otherwise it will be completely beyond our control.”
Cllr Phillips also questioned why some barber shops with luxurious interiors “never seem to have any customers”, adding: “I spoke to a barber, he’s finding it really difficult because he can’t match their prices.”
Mixed views and next steps
Uplands Party councillor Peter May said many units would be empty without vape and barber shops and suggested incentives should be offered to encourage new businesses. “We’ve got to have a bit of carrot and stick but I will support this motion,” he said.
Conservative councillors raised wider issues around high streets and vacant units, including business rates, employee national insurance contributions and parking, and questioned the timing of the Labour motion now there is a Plaid Cymru rather than Labour Welsh Government. Liberal Democrat opposition group leader Cllr Chris Holley suggested a political element to the motion and called for a deferral so wider issues could be added, saying: “We need a united front.”
Council leader Rob Stewart said he would be happy to include input from party leaders into a letter he proposed to write to the Welsh Government requesting expanded local powers and a reform of current regulations. Cllr Holley called it a good idea but said the motion still needed strengthening.
Cllr Harrington said there had been no political intention behind the motion and that she had not wanted to put too much detail into it. “This is something that’s important to every resident I talk to and every trader I talk to,” she said.
The motion at the meeting of full council was carried, with the Liberal Democrats abstaining.
The Welsh Government said: “We recognise Swansea Council's concerns and the importance of ensuring local authorities have the right tools to support town centres to thrive.” It noted that the cabinet secretary for local government, housing and planning had recently established a new town centre taskforce to develop practical recommendations on the future of town centres across Wales and would be meeting council leaders to discuss the challenges facing communities.
The UK Labour Government announced powers last month to crack down on what it said was an unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that did little to serve their communities.
