PM in Derbyshire to launch crackdown on betting and vape shops
The Prime Minister visited Derbyshire to announce plans to hand new powers to communities and councils over their town centres.
Andy Burnham was in Ilkeston on Tuesday, where he revealed the Government intends to revoke the Gambling Act's "Aim to Permit" rule, which currently restricts the ability of councils to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops, even where there are strong local concerns.
It comes after the Government said high streets have been hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities.
Changes would also see councils given a stronger say over whether new betting shops are right for their area, helping stop them spreading unchecked across struggling high streets.
The government will also require planning permission for vape shops to finally give local people and councils a say over whether they open and to stop them opening near schools. The definition of a vape shop will also be tightened to stop businesses getting around the new rules by claiming to be a general convenience store or retailer.
Adult Gaming Centres - adult-only venues offering up to 24-hour access to gambling machines such as slot and fruit machines - will also require planning permission under proposals due to come into effect at the start of next year.
The changes come as vape shops and adult gaming centres have spread rapidly across many town centres. Unlike most businesses that communities raise concerns about, they can currently open without planning permission under the same rules that apply to coffee shops and clothing retailers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “For many people, the high streets they grew up with have been hollowed out and become unrecognisable over decades of decline. The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for.
“That’s not on. 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. Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life.”