Rachel Hopkins MP welcomes Labour plans to breathe new life into Luton South and South Bedfordshire’s high streets with crackdown on vape and betting shops

Rachel Hopkins, Labour MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire, has welcomed new measures to put local people and councils back in control of their high streets.

Under plans announced by the Labour Government, the outdated “Aim to Permit” rule will be scrapped, making it easier for councils to reject new betting and 24-hour slot-machine shops where there are strong local concerns.

Vape shops would also require planning permission, giving councils greater control over where they open and to stop them opening near schools. Adult gaming centres would also require planning permission under proposals due to come into effect at the start of next year.

The maximum length of Closure Orders will also double from six to 12 months, giving police and local authorities more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime, pursue prosecutions, and prevent rogue businesses - from illegal vape shops, and dodgy barber shops - reopening before investigations are complete.

Whilst the previous government failed to back Britain’s high streets, leading to 14 years of declining town centres and empty shopfronts, the Labour Government is doing things differently. Under Andy Burnham's leadership, power is being taken out of Westminster and put into the hands of local communities.

These measures are part of Labour’s wider plan to support responsible businesses, restore pride in local places and bring hope back to town centres.

The announcement follows action by the Labour Government to give families and businesses more breathing space from cost-of-living pressures, including capping bus fares at £2 and cutting business rates for pubs, social clubs and live music venues by 20 per cent from next year.

Rachel Hopkins, Labour MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire, said: “Time and again, local people here in Luton South and South Bedfordshire have told me how dodgy vape shops and rogue businesses have blighted our high streets and damaged pride in our town centres.

“Labour has listened, which is why we are giving communities a real say over what opens locally and councils the powers they need to act.

“Together, we can support good local businesses, breathe new life into our high streets and restore a real sense of local pride in our community.”

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.

“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.”