Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a clampdown on the establishment of new betting shops and vape stores, aiming to give local communities the power to turn around their high streets. The reforms, unveiled during a visit to Ilkeston in Derbyshire on Tuesday, will require retailers wishing to open e-cigarette shops to seek permission from their local council.
Planning Reforms Target Vape and Gaming Shops
Currently, vape shops fall under a planning category known as Class E, a broad classification that encompasses shops, cafés, and banks. By moving vape shops into their own "sui generis" category, which the Government will consult on, it is anticipated that every proposal to open a vape shop would be required to go through the approvals process. Adult gaming centres will likewise be placed into their own "sui generis" category, granting local authorities the ability to reject new arcades.
The Government has further proposed overhauling the Gambling Act 2005's "aim to permit" rule, which obliges councils to generally view premises licence applications favourably if they satisfy the criteria set out by the Gambling Commission. This change is intended to give communities more control over the proliferation of betting shops.
Prime Minister's Vision for High Streets
Speaking to reporters, Mr Burnham said: "There's a real concern across the country – I felt it in the Makerfield by-election – about high streets that have been hollowed out, particularly in former industrial areas, that have just been in decline for a long time. And I want to give local communities the power to turn things around."
He added: "And that means clamping down on some of the businesses that cause harm in communities and then supporting those that bring life back to our high street. So, we are announcing big changes today to give communities more control over planning when it comes to vape shops, adult gaming centres, and also the proliferation of betting shops, by removing the aim to permit."
Mr Burnham was accompanied in Ilkeston, a former coalmining and ironmaking town, by Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner. She said: "Whether it's the vape shop, or betting shops that's opened with no say from locals, the shopfront that's seen better days, or the sense that nobody's in control. These problems have built up over years, but this Government won't leave councils and communities powerless to crack down on everyday eyesores that blight our high streets."
Political Reactions and Industry Response
However, Sir James Cleverly, the Conservatives' shadow communities secretary, previously argued that it was "Labour's business rates hikes" which have "hollowed out" high streets. He said: "Everyone can see what has happened to our high streets, with once-treasured shops being replaced by a smattering of rogue operators, many of which have links to organised crime and fraud." Sir James also said: "Conservatives would cut business rates for high street firms and back the small businesses that give a town centre its character. Unless the Government takes steps to support the high streets and hard-working businesses, Labour's increases in planning regulation will just mean more empty and boarded-up shops."
Max Wilkinson, the Liberal Democrats' home affairs spokesman, cautioned that unless the Prime Minister "beefs up powers to properly crack down on vape shops and dodgy operators, Burnham's plans could go up in a puff of smoke". He went on to say: "Our high streets are in crisis, so rolling the dice and keeping his fingers crossed these minor changes are enough simply won't win the hand. He should scrap the failed business rates system and urgently give sweeping new powers to councils so high streets can prosper and trading standards officers can permanently shut repeat offenders."
Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick argued the reforms would only succeed "if the Government and local councils make it attractive for the right kind of shops to open in their place", through reducing the tax burden.
Industry and Local Government Views
Mr Burnham's proposals have also drawn criticism from the Betting and Gaming Council. A representative for the industry body stated: "We support tough action against criminal operators and agree local people should have a proper say over their high streets. But the suggestion that betting shops are spreading unchecked is simply wrong. Betting shop numbers have fallen by over a third since 2019. Around 3,000 shops have closed and over 15,000 jobs have already been lost. It is wrong to lump highly regulated, licensed betting shops together with rogue or criminal businesses. Betting shops still support 37,500 jobs, bring vital footfall to neighbouring businesses and, for many customers, are valued community hubs."
Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, said: "Rogue vape traders on the high street have been a blight on the legitimate sector, so we welcome measures such as extending closure orders on dodgy shops. For too long the media have conflated organised criminal networks with law-abiding vape businesses, when in fact these criminals just see illicit vapes as a commodity in the same way as illicit tobacco or counterfeit goods. That has damaged the public's understanding of our sector. Research has shown that if even half of England's current adult smokers were to switch to vaping, it would save the NHS £0.5 billion. Vaping will be soon be subject to excise duty, which HM Treasury estimates will bring in £0.2 billion in its first partial financial year (2026–27) and £0.6 billion per year by 2030. Cutting out illegal trade in vapes will be key in ensuring vaping products duty contributes to the UK economy rather than reinforcing an existing illicit sector."
Eamonn O'Brien, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: "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 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 in to empty premises."
