By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Independent Cllr Leonard Kelly sparked off an ‘angry’ reaction after asking “how many shops in Wexford town are vacant” at last Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council.
The debate arose out of people living above shops and the pressure on owners to provide spaces such as parking and wheelie bins.
Cllr Kelly said that Wexford town has excellent coffee shops, but retail is disappointing with shops closing on the Main Street and he wanted “to ensure that the town centre will hold.”
Cllr Catherine ‘Biddy’ Walsh (Labour) told the meeting said the Chief Executive has spoken positively about Wexford and the Main Street.
She continued; “We know about the dereliction. We know about shop closures. There are a huge amount of problems out there and we are looking for solutions. We have a responsibility to speak positively about our town.”
Later in the meeting Cllr Walsh won the full support of the chamber when she proposed a motion, seconded by Cllr Kelly, regarding the number of shops selling vapes in Wexford. The motion read;
“In an effort to mitigate the negative effect of the number of shops selling vape in Wexford, this Council demands the following;
“Call for a change to the 2023 Act where “retailers of tobacco products that are already registered with the HSE have six months to apply for a Licence” to retailers intending to sell tobacco products must first apply and hold a licence.
“That this Council would see a Wexford specific campaign by the HSE on the dangers of vaping and the need to encourage people, particularly youths, away from those products.
“That the next Development Plan will make specific references to the retail offering on specific streets where shops that sell items contrary to public health, vaping and nicotine products, be restricted to pharmacy only instead of general retail.”
It was pointed out during the meeting that sales of vaping products are not illegal.
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