In a major policy intervention, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has unveiled a powerful new plan to hand communities across Britain a decisive weapon against the proliferation of betting shops and vape stores. The proposal forms a central pillar of Labour's ambitious 'Take Back Control' Bill, promising the most significant shift in planning power to local people in decades.
The initiative is a direct response to growing public fury over the clustering of these establishments, often in already disadvantaged areas, which critics argue preys on vulnerable communities and blights town centres.
Power to the People: How the New Rules Would Work
The proposed legislation would fundamentally alter the planning landscape. Currently, betting shops are classified under the same planning category (A2) as banks and building societies, allowing them to open in vacant premises without needing specific planning permission for a change of use.
Labour's plan would create a new, distinct planning category specifically for gambling institutions. This crucial change would force any new betting shop or vape store to apply for full planning permission.
This is where the power shifts to residents. The new rules would empower local communities to formally object to these applications, giving them a legitimate and powerful voice in deciding what businesses operate on their doorsteps.
A Blight on Our High Streets
Speaking on the policy, Sir Keir Starmer framed it as a essential measure to protect community wellbeing and restore pride in local high streets. He highlighted the damaging social impact of these shops, particularly their tendency to cluster in areas with higher levels of economic deprivation.
"For too long, our local communities have been powerless to stop the spread of betting shops and vape stores that can dominate our high streets,'' a Labour source stated. "There are more than 6,000 betting shops in England alone, and their concentration in poorer areas is no coincidence—it's a business model that profits from addiction.''
The Road Ahead
This policy announcement is already being hailed as a popular, common-sense measure that aligns with the public's desire for greater control over their local environment. It signals a key theme of Labour's upcoming campaign: empowering communities and cleaning up the high street.
If enacted, this could lead to a dramatic reduction in the number of new gambling and vape outlets, fundamentally changing the face of Britain's town centres and giving residents the final say on the character of their community.
