Problems with illegal sales of vapes, groups of youth in the town centre, drunkenness and anti-social behaviour have been highlighted to Blackburn Business Improvement District bosses as they seek a third term.

The organisation, which has been working for a decade to showcase the area, is currently holding a ballot of firms with a rateable value of more than £10,000 to decide if the initiative continues from 2024 for a further five years.

But one business owner has written to Blackburn Town Centre BID Manager Catherine Price to say he will be voting against the proposed extension.

He said: "It may be a very noble effort by Blackburn BID but, unfortunately, I have to say it has not worked.

"As a business owner who spends seven days a week in the town centre all I have seen over the past few years is an increase in shops selling illegal vapes, shops selling cigarettes and vapes to children, an increase in shops selling illegal and counterfeit cigarettes and tobacco, groups of youths walking around smoking vapes, streets full of vaping rubbish, and an increase in anti-social behaviour and drunken louts in town centre."

His letter follows a Lancashire Telegraph reader raising the problem of shops selling illegal vapes to under-age customers earlier this month.

A Blackburn with Darwen Council spokesperson responded to that by saying: “A number of enforcement operations have taken place in recent months, and more operations are planned."

In response to the disgruntled business owner, Ms Price said: "Thank you for getting in touch to express your frustration about illegal activities in Blackburn town centre.

"I understand your concerns about an increase in anti-social behaviour and street drinking / drunken behaviour.

"I have recently submitted a bid to the police and crime commissioner for funding to provide extra security patrols in the run up to Christmas to help prevent, reduce and deal with town centre anti-social behaviour and retail crime.

"Blackburn BID is a business-led partnership which delivers projects which benefit the BID area.

"This has included delivering town centre events which have attracted tens of thousands of visitors.

"We have also worked in partnership with the council to fund two town centre police officers, as well as providing over 5,000 hours of security patrols.

"Blackburn BID has no enforcement powers, the police and trading standards are responsible for dealing with the sale of illegal vapes and cigarettes and the sale of cigarettes and vapes to children, so I have referred the matter to the town centre police inspector.

"I would be grateful if you could let me know of specific premises where you are aware of this activity.

"I’m afraid the BID cannot take any action regarding groups of youths walking around smoking vapes. I share your concern but this is an issue much bigger than Blackburn town centre."