Prime Minister Andy Burnham has confirmed a significant change for barber shops, hairdressers, and their customers as part of a new crackdown on what he describes as "dodgy" businesses. Under the new measures, police will gain the power to shut down barber shops, vape shops, and nail salons for up to a year if they are found to be operating outside the law.
The proposals, which were initially announced under the previous government led by Sir Keir Starmer, are designed to give local communities more control over the types of businesses that operate on their high streets. The changes will require vape shops to obtain planning permission, a move that is expected to significantly alter the retail landscape.
Burnham's Vision for High Streets
Speaking about the new rules, Mr Burnham emphasised that the measures are about restoring power to local people. "These changes are about giving local people something they lost a while back: the power to say no," he said. "They're about wrestling back the control taken from our communities decades ago and finally giving them a proper say on what happens to the places they call home."
The Prime Minister also made it clear that this is just the beginning of a broader strategy to revitalise high streets. "But they're also just the beginning. Because saying no is only half the job. We don't just want fewer vape and betting shops," he added. "We want more butchers, bakers and bookshops - the businesses that make a high street feel like home."
Councils Gain New Powers
The changes to the Use Class Order will mean that vape shops, along with other potentially problematic businesses, will need to go through the planning process before they can open. This gives councils and local communities a greater say in what shops and services are available on their high streets.
Eamonn O'Brien, chairman of the Local Government Association, welcomed the move. "It is positive that councils and communities will get a greater say on what shops and services are found on their high streets through these changes to the Use Class Order which will require vape shops to acquire planning permission," he said.
He added: "Extra powers will help councils in revitalising high streets and shaping their communities, particularly in regulating betting and vaping shops, while also breathing new life into empty premises."
Concerns Over Organised Crime
The crackdown comes amid growing concerns that some barber shops, vape shops, and mini marts are linked to organised crime. Joshua Nicholson, the head of housing and communities at the Centre for Social Justice, highlighted the scale of the problem.
"Britain's high streets have been hijacked by a growing number of dodgy vape shops, mini marts, and barbers, many of which are linked to organised crime," he said. "The Government is right to give councils new powers to say no to these dodgy shops. High street renewal is vital to restoring security within our communities."
What This Means for Businesses and Customers
For legitimate barber shops and hairdressers, the new rules are unlikely to cause disruption, as they are already operating within the law. However, the ability for police to shut down businesses for up to a year represents a significant new enforcement tool.
Customers may also notice changes, as the crackdown could lead to fewer but higher-quality establishments on their local high streets. The government's broader ambition is to encourage a mix of traditional and independent businesses, from butchers and bakers to bookshops, to create vibrant community hubs.
While the full details of the legislation are still being finalised, the message from the Prime Minister is clear: the era of dodgy barbers and vape shops operating with impunity is coming to an end. The focus is now on giving communities the power to shape their own high streets and ensuring that the businesses that operate there contribute positively to the local area.
