'Hollowed out high streets': Andy Burnham to crack down on vape shops and bookies

Four Yorkshire towns and cities have been cited as being amongst the worst in the UK for so-called dodgy shops.

New vape shops and bookmakers will have to apply for planning permission, Andy Burnham has announced, in a bid to save Britain’s “hollowed-out high streets”.

The Prime Minister intends to scrap the so-called “aim to permit” rule, which limits the ability of local authorities to prevent betting shops and 24-hour slot machine venues opening in their area.

Planning permission will be required for outlets selling e-cigarettes as part of efforts to give communities a greater say under the proposals.

The formal definition of a vape shop will be tightened to stop businesses side-stepping the new rules by claiming to be a “convenience store or a retailer”, officials said.

Adult gaming centres offering up to 24 hours of access to slot and fruit machines will also require planning permission under the shake-up, expected to come into effect at the start of next year.

This is the first announcement as part of Mr Burnham’s summer tour, which begins today and sees the new Prime Minister travel all across the country - including Yorkshire - to listen to people’s concerns.

He 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.”

He added: “High streets are the beating heart of local communities, but for too long Westminster has stood by while they have been in decline. This Government is committed to restoring our high streets and bringing back hope across Britain.”

Under proposals first announced by Sir Keir Starmer’s government, police will also be able to shut down “dodgy” barbers, vape shops and nail salons for up to a year.

The maximum length of so-called “closure orders” will be extended from six months to 12, to give officers more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime.

Officials said the Government would also set clearer expectations for the design of high-street shop fronts, to improve the appearance and pre-empt complaints about “garish neon signs” and “oversized logos.”

Working with local authorities, it will publish “practical guidance” for councils on how to make town centres more attractive, they said.

The “aim to permit” policy was introduced when Sir Tony Blair’s Labour government, in which Mr Burnham was a minister, liberalised gambling laws in 2005.

It comes after four Yorkshire towns and cities have been cited as being amongst the worst in the UK for so-called dodgy shops, a recent report from the the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) and the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG) found.

Bradford, Huddersfield, Leeds and Sheffield were listed as the hotspots across the region, according to the research.

In Leeds, Armley, Hunslet and Harehills were the worst areas, according to CSTI, while in Sheffield, Highfield, Darnall and Pismire Hill were dodgy shop hotspots.

In one month earlier in the year, five shops in Keighley were stripped of their alcohol licenses by Bradford Council for selling counterfeit cigarettes.

It comes as the NCA estimated that around £1bn of illicit cash is laundered by criminals through high street businesses like mini-marts, barber shops, vape stores and sweet shops.

Some businesses are also connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working, and illegal drug supply.

A BBC investigation revealed people smugglers are directing migrants to pay for illegal Channel crossings using a network of UK-registered businesses including high street shops.