Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced new government plans that will grant local councils increased powers to block the opening of new vape and betting shops, aiming to revitalize the nation's high streets. Under the proposed changes, new vape shops will be required to obtain planning permission, and councils will gain stronger abilities to refuse applications for new betting shops.

These measures are part of a broader initiative to address the decline of town centers, which the Prime Minister described as having been "hollowed out by decades of decline." The announcement comes as Burnham embarks on a UK tour, emphasizing a "listening mode" approach to developing a 10-year plan to restore hope to communities. The government seeks to empower local authorities to have a greater say in the types of businesses that operate within their town centers, responding to public frustration over the proliferation of certain retail outlets.

The government's proposals include significant changes to planning law in England, stipulating that every new e-cigarette or vape retailer must apply for local council permission. To prevent businesses from circumventing these rules, the definition of a vape shop will be tightened, making it harder for them to operate under the guise of general convenience stores. Furthermore, a rule known as "aim to permit," which has limited councils' ability to block new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine arcades, will be scrapped across Great Britain. Planning permission will also be required for new adult gaming centers.

These enhanced powers extend to enforcement, with new abilities to extend closure orders for mini-marts and vape shops found selling illegal tobacco or other illicit goods for up to twelve months in England and Wales. This measure had been previously suggested by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. The government's move is partly in response to findings by the National Crime Agency, which estimates that at least £1 billion of criminal cash is laundered annually through high street stores linked to the sale of counterfeit goods, tax evasion, illegal employment, and drug supply.

Prime Minister Burnham stated that the rise of vape shops, betting shops, and "rogue operators" has displaced the community spaces and services that residents desire. He asserted that the new measures will "put communities back in control" and give local people a "real say" in what opens on their high streets. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner echoed these sentiments, highlighting public frustration with the proximity of vape and gambling outlets to schools, some of which have been connected to illegal activities.

However, the proposals have drawn criticism from the Conservative party. Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly argued that the new regulations could lead to more empty shops if not accompanied by tax relief for other small businesses. He contended that recent increases in business rates by the Labour government have already contributed to vacant storefronts, and that further planning regulation without business support would exacerbate the problem.

The Liberal Democrats' stance was not fully detailed in the provided material, but the party's opposition or support would likely hinge on the specifics of the implementation and the broader economic context of high street revitalization.

These changes come amidst ongoing concerns about the impact of organized crime on high streets, with reports of shops involved in selling illegal cigarettes, vapes, drugs, enabling illegal working, and suspected money laundering. The government's announcement signals an attempt to reclaim town centers from these detrimental influences and restore them as vibrant community hubs.