Powers to curb vape and mobile shops considered
Southend High Street has 16 mobile, 11 vape and nine barber shops, one councillor says.
Powers to limit vape and mobile shops under consideration
These vapes were seized from city centre shops in Southend in April 2025
Southend-on-Sea City Council’s cabinet is set to examine what powers it has to reduce the “excessive” number of vape, mobile repair and barber shops on its High Street.
Reform UK put forward a motion at full council, which was referred to the Labour-led cabinet that governs the council so it could decide the next steps.
Labour’s Matt Dent backed the motion, which asked the council to stop these businesses opening in council-owned commercial property.
“We are definitely receptive to the aims of this motion,” Dent said, adding: “When it comes to full cabinet we are hoping that there is something we can do about it.”
The Labour cabinet member said there was an issue of “over concentration of vape and barber shops”, adding: “It’s an issue that’s brought up time and again.”
Reform UK’s James O’Rourke said there were “16 mobile, 11 vape and nine barber shops down a half mile High Street”
Reform’s James O’Rourke told full council: “If someone wants to start a business they should be able to do so where they want, if they believe it will be successful.
“However, as local council we have responsibility to ensure our High Street serves our residents and has a diverse range of shops, restaurants and pubs.”
The Reform group’s deputy leader said High Streets were “dying” across the country because they did not have the shops people wanted and needed.
He said 16 mobile, 11 vape and nine barber shops “down half a mile of High Street is clearly excessive”.
Why are councillors trying to stop vape, phone and barber shops?
Southend-on-Sea City Council owns the Victoria Centre and can decide what shops and businesses open there.
Vape shops have generally been able to open in commercial premises without needing a planning application.
Councillors believe they already have powers they can look at to help reduce the number on the High Street.
Dent also referred to an announcement made by the prime minister this summer that councils would receive new powers and that vape shops would need to apply for planning permission.
Earlier this summer, Basildon councillors backed a Reform motion to ban vape shops and barbers from opening in town centre premises owned by the local authority.
Southend-on-Sea City Council officers will draw up a report to be considered at a cabinet meeting later this year.