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Communities are set to get new powers to tackle the spread of vape and betting shops under new Government plans, which Prime Minister Andy Burnham has recently spoken about.
Burnham announced plans to try to rejuvenate British high streets with the crackdown plans, as he said British high streets have been "hollowed out" by them. The aim is to give local councils more control over which businesses open and operate in town centres.
The plans have been welcomed by local MPs across Merseyside, including Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders.
Under the new plans, New vape shops and adult gaming centres, premises largely devoted to slot and gaming machines, will need planning permission under the proposals, giving councils greater control over where they open. Councils will also have stronger powers to prevent vape shops from clustering or opening near schools.
There will be tougher action against rogue businesses as well, such as the illegal vape shops and the selling of illegal cigarettes and vapes. Recently, a Liscard convenience store was ordered to close following a Trading Standards and police investigation that found many breaches of the sale of goods, despite previous warnings for selling the goods. The store is the 20th in the Wirral to be closed with a Closure Order.
According to Dee Radio, Mr Madders said of the announcement: "People regularly tell me they are concerned about the number of vape shops appearing on our high streets. Our town centres should have a good mix of shops and services that local people actually want, and communities should have a proper say over what opens. These changes will give councils greater powers to prevent too many of the same type of business clustering in one area, while supporting responsible businesses and helping us regenerate our high streets. I particularly welcome stronger powers to stop vape shops opening near schools and tougher action against rogue operators.”
Under the plans, the maximum length of closure orders will double from six to 12 months, giving police and councils more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime and prevent rogue operators reopening.
He added he welcomes the plans because businesses hit with closure orders can reopen after three or six months, and extending the order to a year acts as a "greater deterrent to rogue businesses".
Ministers will also discuss scrapping the Gambling Act's "aim to permit" rule, giving councils greater discretion over applications for new gambling premises where there are concerns about over-concentration. The reforms are not intended to target legitimate existing businesses or introduce a blanket ban on gambling premises.
