STORY
Councils are to be given stronger powers to prevent new vape shops, betting shops and adult gaming centres from opening under plans announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The Government says the changes are intended to give local communities greater control over their high streets and could come into effect next year.
New vape shops would require planning permission rather than being treated in the same broad planning category as other retail premises. Adult gaming centres would also be placed in a separate planning category, while the Government plans to remove the Gambling Act 2005 ‘aim to permit’ rule which currently limits the circumstances in which councils can refuse applications for betting shops and gaming centres.
The Local Government Association welcomed the additional powers, saying councils would gain a greater say over the mix of businesses on high streets. The Betting and Gaming Council said betting shop numbers had fallen substantially since 2019 and argued that licensed bookmakers should not be grouped together with rogue operators, while opposition parties said wider action was needed to address business rates and high street decline.