Everybody's talking about the vape shop that started the fire outside Glasgow Central Station, but why was it there in the first place?
An investigation by The Ferret found that the pop-up shop was not paying business rates.
They also found that it wasn't registered to sell tobacco or vape products.
In some parts of Glasgow City Centre, one third of shops are vacant.
Private landlords are not interested in refurbishing these properties, they just want to hold on to them until they increase in value and they can sell them at a huge profit.
Business rates and rent are too high for local businesses to access them.
However, landlords are inclined to rent them out to short-term pop-ups.
Why?
They are unlikely to ask for a refurbishment, they also take on the tax liability, and it means the landlords can make a quick buck while they wait for their property price to increase.
So that's why UK high streets are full of vape shops, electronic repair stores and souvenir shops.
They aren't going to be there for a long time.
It's a very quick turnover.
A lot of these businesses are not complying with local councils.
They are not, for example, and they might not register their products.
That's because they're only there for a short amount of time and it's expensive.
Local councils do not have the resources or the budget to track these businesses.
They can only look into them if they're reported.
So the question is, who is really responsible for the fire?
Is it the pop-up vape shop?
Is it the local council?
Is it the fire department?
Or is it the landlords?
Let me know what you think in the comments.