Burnham to give councils more powers to block vape and betting shops

Local councils in England are set to gain enhanced powers to reject applications for new betting shops and adult gaming centers, while vape shops will require planning permission under new proposals championed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Burnham plans to repeal the "aim to permit" rule within the Gambling Act 2005. This existing rule effectively obliges councils to approve new gambling premises if they meet licensing requirements. His predecessor, Keir Starmer, had previously introduced changes allowing councils to consider the density of existing gambling outlets, but stopped short of abolishing the "aim to permit" rule.

Burnham argues that communities need greater control over their high streets, which have seen traditional businesses disappear while betting and vape shops have expanded. "Local people will actually have more of an input into whether or not those shops should open in the first place, giving them a proper say about how their high streets should look," a Downing Street source stated.

Downing Street views these shops as prominent symbols of high street decline, causing genuine concern among local residents. A fast-tracked six-week consultation is planned, with the goal of implementing the new measures by early 2027. Research suggests that addressing the decline of Britain's high streets is crucial for the Labour party's electoral success.

Currently, vape shops are categorized similarly to general retail outlets like shops and cafes, allowing them to open without a new planning application. The government is considering creating a distinct planning category for vape shops, enabling councils to assess each application individually. Additionally, efforts are underway to refine the definition of a vape shop to prevent businesses from circumventing regulations by claiming their primary function is convenience retail.

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Local people will actually have more of an input into whether or not those shops should open in the first place, giving them a proper say about how their high streets should look.