Andy Burnham has unveiled new measures to curb vape and gambling shops, along with “rogue operators” who have “hollowed out” high streets.
The PM is tightening up planning rules that have made it easier for vape shops and adult gaming centres to spread rapidly. Currently they can open without planning permission under the same rules that apply to coffee shops and clothing retailers, but this will change under proposals to come into effect from next year, requiring both to apply to councils for approval.
It means removing vape shops from the same broad planning class as other shops, cafés and banks, and putting them in a new class of their own.
Adult gaming centres also face being put in a new ‘of its own kind’ planning class. Currently they are not named in planning law, unlike bookies, traditional amusement arcades, and casinos.
The government has also said it will revoke the Gambling Act’s ‘Aim to Permit’ rule, which currently restricts the ability of councils to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops even where there is strong local opposition.
Meanwhile, the maximum length of closure orders will double from six to 12 months, giving police and local authorities more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime, such as illegal vape and barber shops.
All the measures are subject to forthcoming consultations.
“For many people, the high streets they grew up with have been hollowed out and become unrecognisable over decades of decline,” said Burnham. “The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for.
“That’s not on. I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do. We’re putting communities back in control and giving local people a real say over what opens on their high street. Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life.
“High streets are the beating heart of local communities, but for too long Westminster has stood by while they have been in decline. This government is committed to restoring our high streets and bringing back hope across Britain.”
Housing, communities and local government secretary Angela Rayner said: “People know when their high street isn’t working for them. 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.
“That’s why we’re giving local leaders the power to say no to what doesn’t belong on their high street, and the tools to fix it themselves.”
Today’s announcement is seen by retail industry insiders as the latest sign that Burnham has backed away from raising business rates for warehouses, a suggestion he floated repeatedly before his appointment as PM in July.
It follows plans he announced days after taking office to hit vape and gambling shops with higher business rates from next year by reviewing the relief currently available to them. The change is to help pay for a 20% cut to business rates cut for pubs and live music venues across England from April 2027, with the rest of the funding to come from a clampdown on VAT avoidance by online marketplace sellers.
Read more: Do the numbers add up for Burnham’s business rates promises?
BRC director of business and regulation Tom Ironside said: “We all want to see thriving town and city centres – places where people can meet, eat, shop and play. Retailers play a vital role in supporting vibrant communities, providing pharmacies, post offices and other essential services, while attracting much-needed footfall that benefits surrounding restaurants, cafés and smaller businesses.
“Giving local communities more tools to tackle rogue operators helps create a level-playing field and promotes safer, more attractive high streets, but the biggest barrier to their long-term success remains the outdated business rates system.
“Retail accounts for 5% of the economy, yet pays over 20% of all business rates. At a time when the overall cost burden on businesses has never been higher, excessive business rates can be the difference between a shop remaining open or closing its doors.”
FWD CEO James Bielby said: “We welcome today’s announcement on cracking down on rogue operators and supporting high streets by giving power back to local communities, which will help tackle the illicit trade in tobacco and vapes. FWD has been calling for stronger action for years on the illicit tobacco trade and the change of planning laws to prevent more vape shops opening is is a step in the right direction to support responsible retailers and target organised criminal gangs behind the illicit vape market.
“High streets should be places where responsible local businesses can thrive and provide the shops, services and hospitality that communities rely on. Food and drink wholesalers are proud to support thousands of those businesses across the country, supplying independent shops, pubs, restaurants and cafés and helping them serve their communities every day.”
However, the announcement received a cautious welcome from vape trade bodies.
“We support action to tackle the proliferation of garish vape shops that can make parts of our high streets look more like amusement arcades, with excessive lighting, inappropriate displays and little regard for the communities in which they operate,” said John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association.
“Responsible retailers have no interest in seeing these types of businesses continue to open unchecked, which is precisely why the UKVIA has consistently called for a robust and vigorously enforced licensing scheme for the vaping sector.
“However, it is vital that specialist vape shops are not caught up in a blanket crackdown. Traditional vape retailers employ knowledgeable staff, comply with the regulations and provide an important service to adult smokers who are looking to move away from cigarettes.”
A spokesperson for the Independent British Vape Trade Association said: “It is potentially a further hurdle for reputable vape businesses aiming to help adults that would otherwise be smoking.”
The latest plans also include setting new expectations for the design and appearance of high street shopfronts. The government said it would work with the Planning Advisory Service to identify the best examples of attractive, thriving town centres from across the country. Over the next six months it would then provide councils with practical guidance on improving the appearance of high streets, drawing on successful examples.
The announcement was accompanied by analysis from the Centre for Social Justice suggesting Britain had lost nearly 1,800 pubs and bars, while the number of vape and tobacco shops had increased to almost 2,200 since 2016.
East Midlands mayor Claire Ward said: “Our local shops and high streets hold a mirror up to our economy. If that mirror shows us nothing but vape shops, gambling shops, and crime, it destroys pride in place. People, councils, and local businesses should be able to work together to shape their high streets, but as things are, they lack the levers to ensure that everyone plays fair.
“This announcement gives places the chance to take back control, ensuring that no one type of business can monopolise the high street and that flagrant criminality can be dealt with. Local powers given to locally accountable councils, together with investment led by regional mayors, will help diverse high streets to flourish.”
Joshua Nicholson, head of housing and communities at the Centre for Social Justice, said: “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.
“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.”
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