Ashfield District Council has backed plans to investigate the growing number of vape shops across the district as part of a wider review aimed at encouraging a more diverse high street.
Councillors have agreed to write to the government calling for a review of planning rules introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, while also launching an audit of vape shops, barbershops and nail bars to ensure businesses are operating legitimately.
The move follows concerns that changes to planning regulations under the Class E use category, introduced in 2020, have made it easier for businesses to switch premises without requiring planning permission or public consultation, contributing to what some councillors describe as an “over-concentration” of certain business types.
Cllr Lee Waters, who proposed the motion alongside Cllr David Shaw, said the review was not intended to target legitimate businesses but to address public concerns and encourage greater variety on local high streets.
“Most of these businesses are legit, they're legal, they do a good job and so forth, but there is a public perception there is something untoward happening, so this does a bit more of an investigation to reassure the public,” Waters told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).
“It is also trying to support getting more traditional shops back into the high street.”
As part of the review, the council will work with Trading Standards and Nottinghamshire Police to examine the district's vape shops, barbershops and nail bars before presenting a report to councillors.
“We will be making sure we are liaising with Trading Standards and the police, and a report is put to the council to explain everything is OK with these particular businesses,” Waters added.
The proposals highlight the increasing scrutiny facing vape retailers, even as councillors acknowledged that the majority of businesses operate legally.
However, the motion also exposed divisions over whether planning reform is the right solution.
Cllr Matt Relf, Ashfield District Council's executive lead member for growth, regeneration and local planning, abstained from the vote, arguing there was little evidence that planning rules were responsible for changes to the high street.
“I completely agree with their concerns around the high street, and I agree we should be writing to the government to help us do something about that,” he told the LDRS.
“But I do not agree the planning system is the reason for that. There has been such a radical change with our high streets, and it is unclear what satisfies consumers.
“[The amount of barbershops, vape shops and nail bars] seems surprising, but there must be demand, otherwise they would not be staying open.”
Relf warned that removing the flexibility offered by Class E could discourage entrepreneurs from opening new businesses, adding that reforms to business rates and taxation of large warehouse operators would be more effective in supporting traditional town centres.
Councillor Keir Barsby also expressed reservations. “I supported what they were saying in that there were too many, but this would be putting barriers in front of new businesses,” he said.
(Reporting by Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporting Service)