Glasgow union street fire vape shop failed to pay business rates
A vape shop at the center of a devastating Glasgow fire failed to pay nearly £10,000 in business rates for 2025-26.Summary
The vape shop believed to be the origin of the recent Union Street fire in Glasgow failed to pay approximately £10,000 in business rates for the 2025-26 period. The company, Junaid Retail Limited (trading as Scot's World), occupied the property from August 1, 2024, but the rates bill was returned as undeliverable. Despite the landlord, Afton Estates, confirming Junaid Retail as the occupier, attempts to contact the company at its registered address in Hamilton proved unsuccessful. A former owner, Ajaz Sarwar, claimed he was struggling to afford the rates, but his involvement with Junaid Retail is unconfirmed. The account is now with Glasgow City Council’s debt recovery partner. Furthermore, the building was listed as vacant on the Scottish Assessors Association rolls as of March 10, 2026, potentially entitling the owners to rates relief, and the shop was not registered on the Scottish Government’s vape retailer list.
(Source：Glasgow Times)
