Other10 August, 20262 min read
Andy Burnham Gives Councils More Powers To Block Vape And Betting Shops
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Councils will gain powers to stop betting shops and require planning permission for vape shops. Plan aims to revitalise high streets and address hollowed-out town centres.
9 outlets told this the same way.
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Burnham’s High Street Plan
Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced plans to improve Britain’s high streets by giving councils more power to control what businesses open in town centres, saying they had been “hollowed out” by decades of decline. Under the proposals, new vape shops will require planning permission and councils will get more powers to stop betting shops, with the BBC saying the changes are aimed at improving high streets. The government also plans to scrap a rule known as “aim to permit”, which currently restricts councils’ ability to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops.
The BBC said the Conservatives and Reform warned the proposals would lead to “more empty” shops, without tax relief for other small businesses. Burnham said the measures will give councils more power to control what businesses open in town centres as the prime minister embarks on a tour of the UK in “listening mode.”
Regulation, Closures, and Crime
The BBC said the plans include changes to planning law so every new shop selling e-cigarettes, or vapes, would need to apply to their local council for permission to open in England. The BBC also said the government would tighten the definition of a vape shop to prevent businesses avoiding the rules by describing themselves as a general convenience store or retailer. For adult gaming centres, the BBC said new adult gaming centres offering 24-hour access to gambling machines would require planning permission in England.
The BBC reported that new powers would allow closure orders for mini-marts and vape shops found to be selling illegal tobacco for up to twelve months, something previously proposed by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The BBC added that the National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through high street stores in the UK each year through businesses connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working and illegal drug supply.
Pushback and Consultation Timing
In response to Burnham’s announcement, Conservative shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said the plan would replace “once-treasured shops” with a “smattering of rogue operators”. The BBC said Cleverly argued that Labour’s increases in planning regulation would leave “empty units for whoever is left standing to fill”. The Independent framed the proposals as requiring vape stores and 24-hour slot machine venues to require planning approval from next year, while police would gain powers to close suspicious shops for up to a year to investigate potential ties to organised crime.
The Independent also said the government would introduce design guidance for shop fronts to remove garish neon signs and make town centres visually more attractive. The SME Magazine said the proposed reforms would be subject to a six week consultation, with the aim of introducing the measures at the start of 2027.