Prestatyn: Pop-up barber shops may be criminal, Conservative suggests

A politician has been accused of disrespect after he suggested Prestatyn has as many as 15 barber shops that could be criminal enterprises.

Conservative Gareth Davies said the only businesses doing well on the high street were barbers, car washes, vape shops and other "potential money laundering fronts".

Labour said it was "harmful to make such sweeping statements".

The Welsh Conservatives accused Labour of decimating high streets.

The Vale of Clwyd Member of the Senedd (MS), who represents Prestatyn, made the comments in a debate on the Welsh government budget on Tuesday evening.

Criticising the decision by the Welsh government to cut business rate relief for hospitality firms, Mr Davies said the budget was a "real blow to the small and medium-sized businesses that are the backbone of the Welsh economy".

"It's funny," he told the Senedd, "that the only businesses on the average Welsh high street that appear to be thriving unimpeded by the 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."

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Interrupted by other Senedd members, Mr Davies added: "It's true. It's true. It's an indictment of the state of small enterprise in Wales."

Huw Irranca-Davies, the Labour MS for Ogmore, asked the Conservative to clarify "that is what you meant when you went through those, that these are fronts for illegal operations - all of them?"

Mr Davies said he got Mr Irranca-Davies point, before adding: "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."

A Senedd Labour Party spokesperson said: "It is disrespectful and harmful to make such sweeping and stigmatising statements characterising different businesses.

"It feeds a culture of misinformation. The comments were made in very poor taste and I hope they are withdrawn."

A Welsh Conservative Senedd Spokesman responded: "The Labour Party has decimated our high streets in Wales and is dealing a final nail in the coffin to many more Welsh businesses with business rates relief cuts.

"Labour should listen to Welsh Conservative calls to support our businesses so Welsh high streets can thrive."

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