Your Conservative Council is looking into the rapid emergence of Candy Stores on Oxford Street.
The Oxford Street Strategic Action Group, chaired by Cllr Ian Rowley, has carried out a detailed and thorough investigation into the landlords, head lease owners and intermediaries who are involved letting these shops out. Currently there are about 30 Candy Stores and investigations have led to the closure of three.
The Action Group will continue to inspect the remaining stores on Oxford Street and use using enforcement powers around trading standards and planning to ensure that no inappropriate businesses continue to trade.
Investigations into selling of illegal or dangerous products at inflated prices and currency exchanges could be a cover where money laundering and tax avoidance is taking place. The various groups running these stores need to be identified and human trafficking also investigated. It is estimated that £5m of business rates have been avoided on Oxford Street.
The Oxford Street Strategic Action Group is working with the police, HMRC and immigration officers to deal with the criminality involved with these stores.
