Basildon Reform proposal to block vape and barber shops
Southend Echo
Reform UK councillors in Basildon propose restricting new vape and barber shops in council-owned units to increase high street variety.Summary
Reform UK councillors in Basildon have introduced a proposal to restrict the opening of new vape shops and barber shops within council-owned commercial units. The initiative aims to prevent high streets from becoming saturated with repetitive business types and to encourage a greater variety of services, such as cafes and independent family businesses.
Councillor Sam Journet, the Reform group leader, clarified that the policy is not a ban on these businesses but rather a strategy to manage public assets more effectively. He argued that since council-owned properties are taxpayer-funded, they should be used to meet the diverse needs of the community and restore a sense of pride and identity to local town centres.
(Source：Southend Echo)
