New vape shops in England will need planning permission under government plans designed to give councils greater control over what businesses operate on Britain’s high streets.
The proposals, announced as Prime Minister Andy Burnham begins a tour of the UK, are part of a wider government effort to tackle the decline of town centres and address concerns about organised crime operating through some high street businesses.
Burnham said decades of decline had left many town centres “hollowed out”, with some communities seeing the high streets they once knew become increasingly unrecognisable.
Councils to Get Greater High Street Powers
Under the proposed changes, every new shop selling e-cigarettes or vapes in England would have to seek planning permission from its local council before opening.
The government also plans to tighten the legal definition of a vape shop. The change is intended to prevent businesses from avoiding planning requirements by presenting themselves as convenience stores or general retailers while primarily selling vaping products.
Councils across Great Britain would also receive greater powers to reject applications for new betting shops and 24-hour premises containing gambling machines. The government plans to remove the existing “aim to permit” rule that limits councils’ ability to refuse such applications.
New adult gaming centres in England would also require planning permission under the proposals.
Closure Powers Target Illegal Trading
The government is also proposing new powers allowing authorities in England and Wales to extend closure orders against mini-marts and vape shops found selling illegal tobacco for up to 12 months.
Ministers say the measures are intended to tackle businesses being used for criminal activity, including the sale of illicit goods, money laundering and illegal working.
The National Crime Agency estimates that at least £1bn in criminal money is laundered through UK high street businesses each year, including shops linked to counterfeit goods, tax evasion, illegal employment and drug distribution.
Burnham said the growth of vape shops, betting shops and other rogue businesses had displaced shops, services and community facilities that residents wanted.
He said the government wanted to put communities back in control by giving local people a greater say over which businesses open on their high streets.
Opposition Warns of More Empty Shops
The proposals have drawn criticism from opposition parties, which argue that additional regulation could make the problems facing struggling high streets worse.
Conservative shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said traditional shops had been replaced by rogue operators but argued that increases in business rates had contributed to empty premises.
He warned that additional planning requirements could result in more vacant and boarded-up shops unless the government provided greater support for small businesses.
Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson also called for tougher measures against illegal vape shops and other businesses operating outside the law. He said wider reform of the business rates system was needed.
Reform UK economy spokesman Robert Jenrick said the government should instead focus on business rates and what he described as the “jobs tax”, arguing that the proposals could result in even more empty high street units.
The Green Party described the plans as inadequate and called for councils to be given additional powers, including the ability to introduce rent controls for small businesses.
Industry Backs Action Against Crime
The Betting and Gaming Council said it supported strong action against criminal operators and agreed that local communities should have a greater say over their high streets.
However, the industry body rejected suggestions that betting shops were expanding without restrictions. It said around 3,000 betting shops had closed since 2019.
Councillor Eamonn O’Brien, chair of the Local Government Association, welcomed the proposals, saying it was positive that councils and communities would have greater influence over the shops and services operating in their areas.
BBC Investigation Exposed High Street Crime
The government’s announcement follows extensive reporting by BBC News into organised crime on British high streets.
Over an 18-month investigation, the BBC reported allegations involving drug dealing, money laundering, illegal working, child sexual exploitation and companies allegedly being used as fronts for criminal activity.
In April 2025, the BBC accompanied the National Crime Agency during raids on barbers, mini-marts and vape shops following intelligence reports that some businesses were being used for money laundering and illegal employment.
Further investigations reported underground tunnels allegedly being used to supply illegal cigarettes to shops in Hull and identified thousands of businesses described as operating illegally.
The BBC also reported allegations involving the purchase and sale of high street mini-marts for cash and organised crime networks operating across parts of Britain.
Government Steps Up Enforcement
Following the BBC’s reporting, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood ordered an urgent investigation involving the National Crime Agency, Immigration Enforcement, HM Revenue and Customs and police forces.
The investigation was launched amid concerns that criminal networks were exploiting legitimate-looking high street businesses for illegal activities.
The BBC later reported allegations of drugs and other controlled substances being offered for sale from high street businesses. Some shops subsequently closed following investigations by police and Trading Standards.
Earlier this year, ministers announced a £30m enforcement operation targeting high street businesses suspected of involvement in money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working.
The latest planning proposals represent another attempt by the government to change how high streets are managed, while giving councils more control over the businesses that operate in town centres.
