Key facts
- Local councils will gain enhanced powers to reject new betting and vape shops.
- New vape shops in England will require planning permission.
- The 'aim to permit' rule for betting shops across Great Britain will be abolished.
- Adult gaming centers will also require planning permission in England.
- The government aims to combat organized crime and the decline of high streets.
The UK government is introducing new measures to grant local councils greater control over the types of businesses opening on high streets, specifically targeting vape and betting shops. These proposals aim to reverse the decline of town centers, which have seen a proliferation of these establishments, often replacing traditional retail and community spaces. The government also seeks to tackle organized crime linked to some high street businesses, such as the sale of illegal goods and money laundering.
Under the proposed changes, new vape shops in England will require planning permission, and the definition of such shops will be tightened to prevent circumvention of the rules. For betting shops across Great Britain, a rule known as 'aim to permit' will be scrapped, allowing councils to refuse new applications. Similar planning permission requirements will be introduced for adult gaming centers in England. Additionally, powers to extend closure orders for mini-marts and vape shops found selling illegal items will be enhanced.
The announcement comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham tours the UK, emphasizing a 'listening mode' approach for a 10-year plan. The New West End Company welcomed the new powers as a critical step forward, noting that planning loopholes had allowed the proliferation of low-quality retail businesses. However, the company also called for reforms to the business rates system. The government says the new policies could be in place as soon as the start of next year.