Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a crackdown on new betting and vape shops, saying it will give “local communities the power to turn things around”.
Speaking in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, on Tuesday, Mr Burnham said high streets “have been hollowed out, particularly in former industrial areas”. He unveiled changes to planning policy that will require retailers selling e-cigarettes to seek permission from their local council.
Planning changes and new categories
Vape shops currently fall under Class E, a broad planning category covering shops, cafes and banks. By moving them into their own “sui generis” category, which the Government will consult on, every proposal to open a vape shop would need approval. Adult gaming centres will also be placed in their own “sui generis” category, giving town halls the power to block new arcades.
The Government has also proposed reforming the Gambling Act 2005’s “aim to permit” rule, which currently requires councils to generally look favourably on premises licence applications that meet Gambling Commission expectations.
Reactions from officials and industry
Mr Burnham was joined 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.”
But Sir James Cleverly, the Conservatives’ shadow communities secretary, said 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 added: “Conservatives would cut business rates for high street firms and back the small businesses that give a town centre its character.”
Further criticism and support
Max Wilkinson, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokesman, warned 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 said: “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.”
Reform UK Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrick said the reforms would work only “if the Government and local councils make it attractive for the right kind of shops to open in their place”, by lowering the tax burden.
The Betting and Gaming Council opposed the reforms. A spokesperson said: “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.”
Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, welcomed some measures, saying: “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.” She noted that research showed if half of England’s adult smokers switched to vaping, it would save the NHS £0.5 billion, and that vaping will soon be subject to excise duty.
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.”
