Communities will be given a greater say over what opens on their high streets under new Labour Government plans aimed at tackling the proliferation of vape shops, betting shops and other premises blamed for contributing to the decline of town centres.
Housing and Communities Secretary Angela Rayner announced the plans on Tuesday, saying the Government would put new powers in the hands of councils and communities to tackle “everyday eyesores that blight town centres”.
Writing on X, Rayner said:
“For too long, communities have seen their high streets declining around them, with vape stores and betting shops replacing services and community spaces people rely on.
“We’re putting powers in the hands of communities to crackdown on everyday eyesores that blight town centres.”
The announcement forms part of the Government’s wider drive to revive struggling high streets and give councils greater control over the mix of businesses operating in their town centres.
Under the current planning system, vape shops generally fall within the broad Class E commercial category, meaning premises can in some circumstances be converted into vape shops without requiring a new planning application.
The Government intends to change that position so that opening a vape shop will require permission from the local council, giving councillors and communities a greater ability to consider whether another such business is appropriate for their high street.
Ministers are also proposing changes affecting betting shops and adult gaming centres. In particular, the Government has said it wants to reform the Gambling Act 2005’s existing “aim to permit” approach, which currently limits councils’ ability to reject gambling premises licence applications where applicants satisfy the relevant requirements.
The Government says the measures are intended to give communities more influence over the character of their high streets rather than allowing areas to become dominated by particular types of premises.
Official figures highlighted by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that Britain has lost nearly 1,800 pubs and bars since 2016, while the number of vape and tobacco shops has increased by 245 to almost 2,200 over the same period.
The Government also intends to support councils in improving the appearance of high streets, including clearer standards for shopfronts and sharing examples of successful approaches being taken by local authorities.
The proposed changes will be subject to consultation, with legislation expected to follow.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Rayner visited Ilkeston in Derbyshire on Tuesday as the plans were announced.
Burnham said there was widespread concern that high streets, particularly in former industrial communities, had been “hollowed out” after decades of decline.
“I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do. We’re putting communities back in control and giving local people a real say over what opens on their high street.”
Rayner said concerns about the changing character of town centres were repeatedly being raised with her by constituents.
“People know when their high street isn’t working for them,” she said, adding that the Government would give local leaders greater powers to reject inappropriate developments and address problems themselves.
The Local Government Association welcomed the announcement, saying councils had long raised concerns that existing planning rules could reduce local democratic oversight and contribute to the hollowing out of high streets.
It said the additional powers would help councils revitalise town centres and give them greater ability to regulate the concentration of betting and vaping shops while bringing empty premises back into productive use.
The measures mark another step in Labour’s attempt to shift more decision-making power towards local communities, while supporting responsible businesses and restoring town centres as places for shopping, services and community life.
Further details are available from the BBC.
