Westhoughton councillors praise Vape Maze for community spirit

Westhoughton councillors have thanked Vape Maze business owner Muhammad Iqbal and his colleague Michael Isherwood who stepped up and used their own jet washer to clean up the mess of blue paint.

But they have also voiced their frustrations after Bolton Council refused to clear it up despite them spending £1m on the footpaths on Market Street.

When Westhoughton town councillor Alison Jackson reported a paint spill outside the Vape Maze store, she said she was shocked to be told by Bolton Council that they wouldn’t go out to clean the footpaths, despite spending £1 million on installing them only months earlier.

She said: “We asked Bolton Council if they could clean up this paint spill since they’d spend so much money on footpaths that nobody wanted.

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“The Labour administration now can’t be bothered to maintain them or keep our town centre clean.

“Mohammed stepped up to clean it up and his colleague Michael helped with the work.

“A huge well done to both of them but shame on Bolton Council. Why spend so much money on these new footpaths if they are not prepared to maintain them?”

A spokesperson for Bolton Council said: “Whilst we understand these incidents are frustrating for residents and businesses, the council must prioritise its response to such matters as part of the management of its finances.

“Due to limited funding and resources, the council will only respond to incidents of graffiti which occurs on council property and is of an offensive nature.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.