Great Yarmouth councillors call for vape shop investigation

They don't officially become councillors until today, but Great Yarmouth First's successful candidates have wasted no time in getting started in their new roles.

The nine new county council representatives have written a joint letter to Tom McCabe, chief executive of Norfolk County Council, calling for a "robust investigation" into the number of "suspicious businesses" in Yarmouth, Gorleston and Caister.

Joined by the town's MP Rupert Lowe, the councillors say locals are "rightly suspicious" of "certain vape shops, barbers and similar cash-intensive businesses."

Rupert Lowe MP has previously called for a "full review" into vape shops and Turkish barbers (Image: Rupert Lowe)

"We wish to stress clearly that legitimate businesses operating lawfully have every right to trade successfully and should be supported," the letter reads.

"However, where businesses are operating outside the law, visible enforcement action is essential.

"We are therefore requesting that Norfolk Trading Standards undertake a comprehensive and highly visible programme of inspections and compliance/immigration checks into such suspicious businesses operating within our communities."

The letter was also signed by Rupert Lowe MP (Image: The letter sent to the chief executive of Norfolk County Council)

Eight businesses in Yarmouth were raided in November last year by police as part of a crackdown.

Illegal cigarettes, tobacco and vapes were seized from the premises in King Street and St Peter's Road, including from one that kept the goods stashed in a hatch.

Nearly 50,000 illicit cigarettes and 200 vapes were detained in a separate raid last year.

Mr Lowe has previously called for a review of firms in the town to ensure they are not connected to "money laundering or other illicit activity".

"Having conducted research across the constituency, I am concerned about the prevalence of so many Turkish barbers, vape shops and other such establishments - many constituents have raised concerns, and I am acting on that," he said in June 2025.

"I have officially requested the authorities undertake a full review into these businesses to ensure that all of these firms are operating legally, with no involvement in money laundering or other illicit activity."

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said: “Norfolk Trading Standards work hard to ensure that businesses in our county operate lawfully and that any illegal practices are spotted, stopped and any criminal activity is investigated.

"It’s important that our residents have confidence that the law is applied consistently and fairly. We have an induction planned with all our county councillors to explain in more detail how we work and I am sure this matter will be picked up as part of this.”