Campaigners Oppose Vape Shop Near Glasgow Heritage Site

The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society and local campaigners are opposing the opening of a vape and mobile phone repair shop adjacent to the category A-listed Mackintosh Tearooms in Glasgow. The group argues that the shop poses an unacceptable fire risk to the heritage site, citing a recent fire at the B-listed Union Corner that the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed started in a vape shop, as well as the 2018 blaze at the Glasgow School of Art.

Glasgow City Council stated the premises already have permission to operate as a shop and noted the absence of a national licensing framework for vape shops. While the council previously urged the Scottish government to strengthen regulations, the Government of Scotland maintained that planning applications remain the responsibility of local authorities.

Labour MSP Paul Sweeney has called for a ban on vape shops in historic buildings and urged more urgent planning reform. Matthew Williams of the Mackintosh Society described the Tearooms as an architecture and design gem and a boost for city tourism, emphasizing the need for government and council intervention to prevent further cultural loss.