The Conservative candidate for Harrogate Central in next year’s North Yorkshire Council elections has launched a survey asking residents for their views on vape shops.
Jonathan Shrago said the survey follows recent changes to legislation introducing licensing schemes for vape shops and giving councils powers to limit them in certain areas. How North Yorkshire Council will use these powers has yet to be decided.
Shrago said he wanted to understand the different concerns residents have about vape shops and ensure their views were considered before the council makes decisions.
Jonathan Shrago, Conservative candidate for Harrogate Central, said: Vape shops come up time and again when I talk to people in Central Harrogate, yet the reasons for concerns differ. It is important to hear exactly what local people are thinking. This survey – going to every resident in Central Harrogate – will help us take these concerns further. The results will be submitted to North Yorkshire Council, ensuring residents will have their say before the Council makes its decisions. The stronger the response we get, the better we can inform the Council how the people of Central Harrogate feel.
Shrago said the issue also reflected wider concerns about the future of retail in Harrogate town centre, highlighting the importance of retail, hospitality and tourism to the local economy.
Jonathan Shrago said: There is obvious concern about the future of retail in our town centre and this issue is indicative of that concern. Harrogate is special and it needs an equally special effort to maintain it. Retail, hospitality and the visitor economy are critical. They underpin thousands of jobs and we have to ensure the right decisions are taken for our town.
The survey results are intended to be submitted to North Yorkshire Council ahead of decisions on how the new powers relating to vape shops will be used.