Reform UK and the Conservatives have criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham's plan to give councils more power over high street businesses, warning it will lead to more empty shops.
Under the proposals, councils could refuse new betting shops where there are significant local concerns, and vape shops would require planning permission for the first time.
Critics warn of more empty shops
Reform UK Shadow Chancellor Robert Jenrick said the policy would create more empty shops unless the government scraps the jobs tax and addresses business rates.
Shadow Communities Secretary Sir James Cleverly said Labour's business rates hikes had hollowed out high streets, and added that more planning regulation would mean more boarded-up shops.
Details of the plan
The Prime Minister also revealed police and trading standards teams will get more time to investigate businesses linked to organised crime, with the maximum length of Closure Orders extended from six months to 12 months.
The "aim to permit" rule, introduced under Sir Tony Blair's government in 2005, will be scrapped, allowing councils to prevent betting shops and 24-hour slot machine venues.
Planning permission will be required for e-cigarette outlets, and the definition of a vape shop will be tightened to stop businesses avoiding the rules by claiming to be convenience stores.
Support from think tank
Adult gaming centres offering up to 24 hours of slot machine access will also need planning permission under the changes, expected to take effect early next year.
Police will be able to shut down "dodgy" barbers, vape shops, and nail salons for up to a year, and the government will set clearer expectations for shop front designs to address complaints about garish neon signs.
The Centre for Social Justice think tank, which found Britain has lost nearly 1,800 pubs while vape and tobacco shops have increased to almost 2,200 since 2016, welcomed the plans.
