Local communities are set to receive new powers to block the opening of vape shops and betting shops under government plans to revive Britain's high streets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce a shake-up of town planning rules this week, giving councils and residents more control over the types of businesses that can operate in their areas.
The reforms will include a new injection of funds to support local projects, with money allocated to both councils and community groups. Ministers are also exploring ways to accelerate community ownership of empty shops to prevent high streets from becoming dominated by vape stores, gambling outlets, and barbers.
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Steve Reed said in an interview: "The country is not working for far too many people... We've got a lot of communities that feel they don't have a voice. This is about supporting those communities to take back control, restore pride in the places where they're living, and give them the power and resources to make their areas more successful."
The move follows a study by Health Equity North, which found that the number of vape shops on England's high streets has increased by almost 1,200% over the past decade. The research also revealed that deprived areas have up to 25 times as many bookmakers and pawnbrokers as wealthier areas.
Labour MP Dawn Butler, who launched a summer campaign to clean up high streets, said: "At the moment, councils are not allowed to say no to betting shops and adult gaming centres. That's why we have so many in poorer areas. So what I want to do is make sure we change the law... so that councils can have more of a say."
