Sunderland Council must make early use of new powers to limit vape shops

Opposition Liberal Democrat councillors in Sunderland are calling on city council bosses to make early use of new powers announced by the Prime Minister today to tackle illegal and unwanted vape shops.

The Government are changing the law to require any shop selling vapes and e-cigarettes to apply for planning permission. This means the Council can decide to limit how many vape shops or corner shops selling vapes can open, as well as giving local people as say over whether or not they want a new shop in their area.

Lib Dem councillors want the Council to make full use of these new powers as soon as possible, as well as to come up with a plan to bring empty shops back into use and invest in security measures around shops such as better lighting and CCTV to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The party is also pushing the Government to crack down on organised shoplifting gangs, on "ghost" landlords by requiring overseas owners to provide UK contact detail, and on closing loopholes that allow properties to be hidden behind shell companies.

Commenting, Lib Dem councillor for Doxford Park and Tunstall village Michael Peacock said:

“This is a step in the right direction at a time when people across our city see what feels like hundreds of new vape shops popping up in the city centre and in shopping streets and communities across Sunderland.

“Local residents feel that these businesses don’t add anything to the city centre or to local communities. It leaves people wondering how all of them can be legitimate businesses or whether they are a front for something more sinister.

“Sunderland Council bosses should draw up a plan to quickly make use of these new powers so local people can have a say over whether or not there should be any more vape shops or convenience stores selling vapes in their community.

"At the same time, Sunderland Council should do more to keep the town and local shopping street safer, cleaner and tidier.  Everyone should be able to pop into town, do their shopping or meet friends without worrying about feeling unsafe. We need to tackle the shoplifting and anti-social behaviour that are making life harder for local businesses and putting people off visiting, and help create a city centre and local neighbourhoods that we can all be proud of."