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England and Wales plan to require planning permission for vape shops
The changes, aimed at giving councils more control over high streets, include expanded local powers to reject new betting shops and adult gaming centres, with a target implementation date of the start of 2027.
The UK government plans to tighten rules for vape retailers in England and Wales by requiring vape shops to obtain planning permission, under proposals announced by Andy Burnham. The same package would also expand how betting shop applications are handled by local authorities.
According to the Guardian Business, councils would gain power to reject new betting shops and adult gaming centres, while vape shop openings would face planning permission requirements. A Downing Street source said the measures are designed to crack down on two visible drivers of decline on high streets, citing local concern.
Burnham also pledged to scrap the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act 2005, a policy that effectively requires councils to allow new gambling premises when licensing conditions are met. The outlet said the shift could reverse a partial change introduced under Burnham’s predecessor in April, which allowed councils more consideration of existing gambling premises but stopped short of removing the “aim to permit” framework.
The proposals would follow a fast-tracked consultation lasting six weeks, with the goal of having the measures in place by the start of 2027, the Guardian Business reported. The government framed the effort as giving residents more input into what businesses open on local high streets, the outlet said.