Prime Minister Andy Burnham is giving local councils sweeping new powers to block unwanted businesses as part of a major high street revival effort.
Central to the plans is the abolition of the Gambling Act’s “Aim to Permit” rule, a 2005 provision that has long constrained councils trying to prevent new betting shops from opening.
The rule has historically required licensing authorities to err on the side of granting permission to betting shops and gaming venues seeking a presence on the high street.
Its removal marks a significant shift in gambling policy, handing communities far greater control over the makeup of their local town centres.
Planning loopholes that have allowed vape retailers and adult gaming centres to open without requiring local consent will also be closed under the new measures.
The definition of a vape shop will be tightened specifically to prevent companies from sidestepping restrictions by claiming to be general convenience stores or retailers.
Police and local authorities will receive stronger enforcement powers, with the maximum duration of Closure Orders doubling from six months to twelve months.
Businesses linked to organised crime will also face longer shutdown periods, giving authorities more time to pursue prosecution before closures expire.
The package forms part of the government’s wider ambition to shift decision-making away from Westminster and return control to local communities over which businesses operate in their areas.
Analysis by the Centre for Social Justice found that Britain lost nearly 1,800 pubs and bars while the number of vape and tobacco shops increased to almost 2,200 between 2016 and 2026.
The government also plans to work with the Planning Advisory Service to identify the best examples of thriving town centres and offer guidance to councils looking to improve their high streets.
Complaints over poor-quality shopfronts, garish neon signs, and oversized logos have prompted the government to look at improving the visual appearance of high street businesses more broadly.
These measures arrive alongside a £30 million crackdown targeting money laundering, tax evasion, and illegal working, including raids, shop closures, and cash seizures.
The sector is now facing the prospect of increased business rates, though it remains unclear whether Burnham intends to target only adult gaming centres or include betting shops in the same bracket.
Remote Gaming Duty paid by online gaming operators was increased from 25% to 40% on 1 April 2026, following ex-Chancellor Reeves’ 2025 budget, while General Betting Duty is set to rise from 15% to 25% from April next year.
Physical gaming and horse racing were excluded from those earlier tax rises following extensive campaigning by the Betting and Gaming Council and the British Horseracing Authority, though the current reforms may yet bring fresh financial pressure to the sector.
