Bury Council has pledged a zero-tolerance approach to illicit retailers after councillors warned that rogue vape shops, mini-marts and American candy stores are acting as gateways for organised crime.
Councillors unanimously backed a Labour motion committing the authority to clamp down on what it described as "dodgy shops", while also convening a borough-wide summit to coordinate action against illicit trading and reaffirm support for legitimate local businesses.
According to the motion, up to 50 per cent of mini-marts and vape shops, and up to a third of American candy stores, are believed to be operating outside the law.
Speaking during the debate, Labour councillor Michael Rubinstein, deputy cabinet member for culture, economy and skills, said the issue extended far beyond illegal retailing.
“A dodgy shop is not one which is unpopular in the neighbourhood, has a challenging appearance, or is simply unusual. It is one which operates outside the law,” he said.
“We know what they do, and we know what they look like. As our motion states, up to 50 per cent of mini-marts and vape shops and up to one third of American candy shops are operating outside the law. We need to clamp down on these illicit businesses and protect those already trading legally.”
Rubinstein claimed many of the businesses were linked to wider organised crime, including drug dealing, money laundering, modern slavery, human trafficking, cybercrime and violence.
“That might seem a dramatic conclusion to draw from a small corner shop, but that shop is often the gateway to a key component for wider criminal activity,” he said. “When criminals take over, societies crumble.”
The motion was proposed by Labour councillor Debra Green, who said residents had repeatedly contacted her with concerns about the number of suspicious businesses operating in the borough.
“They are worried about the impact on our town centres, our legitimate businesses, and the safety of our communities,” she said.
Green argued that illicit traders were crowding out independent retailers and family-run businesses while contributing to anti-social behaviour.
“Residents report that these premises can become focal points for anti-social behaviour, attracting groups of young people who are able to access cigarettes, vapes and, in some cases, alcohol,” she said.
“Nearby residents and businesses are then left dealing with nuisance, intimidation, litter, noise and disorder, damaging confidence in our town centres and making them less attractive places to visit.”
The motion received cross-party backing, with Reform UK group leader Jack Rydeheard describing illicit retailers as “a problem on the rise”.
“I'm sure that we've all walked past at least one of these shop fronts, multiple times a day in some cases, and wondered how on earth they are trading given that they're empty all the time, knowing that there will more than likely be something sinister and potentially unlawful going on in the background,” he said.
“Our communities deserve so much better.”
The council's resolution commits Bury to adopting a zero-tolerance approach to illicit trading, bringing together partners through a borough-wide summit to develop a coordinated response and continuing to support legitimate businesses operating in the borough.
(Reporting by Hannah Richardson of Local Democracy Reporting Service)