New vape shops opening in England will require planning permission, the government has proposed as part of measures to revive high streets.
Under the reforms, the owners of new shops in England wanting to sell e-cigarettes or vapes would first need to apply to their local council. They currently don’t need to do so.
The government also intends to tighten the definition of a vape shop in England to prevent firms getting around the rules by saying they are running a general convenience store.
Other measures include:
– scrapping the “aim to permit” rule across Britain which restricts councils’ ability to reject the opening of new betting and 24-hour slot machine shops.
– the government will work with councils to improve the appearance of high streets including addressing “poor-quality shopfronts, garish neon signs, and oversized logos” which local people say make high streets feeling less welcoming.
– in a plan first announced by former prime minister Keir Starmer, doubling from six to 12 months the maximum length of time a premises can be closed while it is investigated for potential crime so that police and local authorities have more time and rogue companies can’t open before an investigation is completed.
According to research by the Centre for Social Justice, the number of vape and tobacco shops in the UK has risen by over 2,000 since 2016, compared to the number of pubs and bars which has fallen by almost 1,800.
Investigations have shown that high street premises, such as vape and barber shops, are used for organised crime, selling counterfeit goods and money laundering.
Prime minister Andy Burnham 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. We’re putting communities back in control and giving local people a real say over what opens on their high street. Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life.”
The proposed reforms will be subject to a six week consultation, with the aim of introducing the measures at the start of 2027.