By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison with additional reporting by Melksham News
Stronger powers to prevent new vape shops, betting shops and adult gaming centres opening on high streets under plans announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham have been welcomed locally.
The measures are intended to give local councils greater influence over the mix of businesses in town centres, which Burnham said had been “hollowed out” by years of decline.
During his summer tour of Britain, the PM said, “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.”
Under the new rules, new vape shops will require planning permission, ending the current position in which they can open under the broad planning category also used for ordinary shops, cafés and banks.
Ministers will also tighten the definition of a vape shop to stop operators avoiding the rules by registering as convenience stores.
The proposals also include safeguards to prevent new outlets opening near schools.
Councils will also be able to take a firmer line on gambling premises, abolishing a law which can limit councils’ ability to reject applications. The change will cover betting shops and 24-hour adult gaming centres.
Separately, police and councils could close premises suspected of links to organised crime for up to 12 months – double the present maximum.
These powers could be used against businesses such as vape shops suspected of selling illegal vapes or illicit tobacco, giving enforcement agencies longer to investigate and disrupt repeated offending.
A Melksham vape shop was subject to two three-month closure orders after Trading Standards officers found illegal tobacco and vapes being sold at the premises.
The shop at 7 Bank Street, which previously operated as Milksham Vape & Shop, was first ordered to close on 11th December 2024 following a number of complaints, several seizures of illegal tobacco and vapes and test purchases of illegal products.
The first closure order expired on 10th March 2025 and the business reopened. However, when officers visited on 22nd March 2025, they were able to purchase two packets of counterfeit cigarettes, resulting in a second three-month closure order being issued in March 2025.
Leader of Wiltshire Council, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service Cllr Ian Thorn, “We welcome measures that could provide our officers with additional tools to tackle businesses selling illegal tobacco and vape products.
“We have already undertaken significant work through Trading Standards and multi-agency operations to address illegal sales in Wiltshire, and additional planning and enforcement powers could help prevent problematic businesses becoming established in the first place.
“The proposals could also give councils greater oversight of new vape shops and more influence over the mix of businesses on local high streets, helping to support legitimate traders and thriving town centres.
“As the proposals are subject to legislation, we will consider the detail of any new powers once further information is available from government.”
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