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Mon, 10 Aug 2026

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 Councils to get more powers to stop vape and betting shops, PM announces

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said town centres had been "hollowed out" by decades of decline.

* New vape shops will require planning permission
* Councils will get more powers to control what businesses open in town centres
* Changes to planning law to prevent vape shops from avoiding rules by describing themselves as convenience stores or retailers
* Scrapping of "aim to permit" rule, which restricts councils' ability to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops
* Requiring planning permission for new adult gaming centres
* New powers to extend closure orders for mini-marts and vape shops found selling illegal tobacco by up to a year Additionally:
* Councils will get more power to control what businesses open in town centres
* The government aims to improve high streets, which have been "hollowed out" by decades of decline
* The plans come as part of the Prime Minister's 10-year plan to bring back hope to high streets.