Prestatyn vape shop owner criticises MS’ ‘out of order’ comments

Gareth Davies, MS for Vale of Clwyd, described vaping and e-cigarette businesses as “unsightly".

He told the Senedd: "It's funny that the only businesses on the average Welsh high street that appear to be thriving unimpeded by Welsh Government these days are pop-up barber shops, unsightly vaping and e-cig outlets, and cash-only hand car washes, amongst a variety of other potential money laundering fronts.

"Take Prestatyn High Street - you've probably never been there in your life, but we had probably two barber shops 15 years ago, but there are probably about 15 now, all of a similar theme."

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Wayne Middleton, who has run Prestatyn Vapours at 125 High Street for nearly 10-and-a-half years, was left disappointed by Mr Davies’ comments.

Mr Middleton believes he has helped many people to stop smoking and does not think his shop appears "unsightly".

Prestatyn Vapours (Image: Wayne Middleton)

He said: “I’ve been here for a long while on the High Street – 10 years last October - and I think I’ve brought a lot in that time, so to hear him say that was a little bit disappointing.

“I don’t think my shop looks unsightly; to be honest, I get a lot of people who say my shop looks really good.

“I get what he means about barber shops, because there were only one or two a few years ago, and now they pop up everywhere.

“But then, you used to be able to get a haircut for a fiver a few years ago, now it’s about £15. Is that why there are more shops? Because prices have gone up?

“It seems like Gareth Davies wants to do well (for the Vale of Clwyd), but I think those comments were out of order.”

Mr Middleton’s shop is open from 10am until 5pm from Monday to Saturday, and is closed on Sunday.

He added: “I’ve been here that long now, and have seen the industry change so many times, that I don’t think a few comments from a politician is going to do that much damage to my business, but it was very disappointing to hear.

“I’ve spent 10 years building a business up, investing thousands on Prestatyn High Street to maintain my shop/building, and have helped hundreds of people to stop smoking in that time.

“The people who use my shop would be lost without it and, who knows, maybe start smoking again.

“We help many people who, without us, may never know how to use a e-cigarette properly, so I was shocked to hear it, actually.”

Mr Davies stressed that his comments made in the Senedd were not aimed at any particular business.

His comments were made as part of a speech on Welsh Government’s Budget, where he focused on high streets.

These remarks, he said, were based on the work of the National Crime Agency, who have identified links between certain types of businesses and illegal activity across the UK.

Mr Davies said: “The comments made in relation to Prestatyn were not at all aimed at anyone in particular.

“(They were) more to add to a trend that has been seen in the expansion of certain categories of businesses over the past decade, locally and across the UK.

“This is not a direct criticism of them, nor was I linking businesses in Prestatyn to illegal activity.

“It was merely an observation that I and many others have made purely on the volume of the expansion of certain businesses in the local area.

“I have not singled anyone out, nor would I ever do so.”

Meanwhile, Mo Soylu of LL19 Barbers, at 204 High Street, said he took no issue with Mr Davies’ comments.

He said: “I have seen the video, but I don't feel offended by the gentleman's opinions as we're all entitled to them.”

Anton Sampson, of Prestatyn Business Forum, said that no barber shop owners are members of the group.

Mr Sampson added: “All I know is that they all appear very busy and have a good reputation, and I've not heard any complaints about the work that they do.

“Anything to the contrary would be hearsay, as far as I'm concerned.”