Portsmouth welcomes new council powers to tackle vape and betting shops

Portsmouth’s politicians have reacted to Andy Burnham’s plans to crack down on vape and betting shops on highstreets

The Prime Minister has today announced plans to give councils more powers in a bid to improve the nation’s high streets.

Andy Burnham has outlined a variety of measures aimed at cracking down on high streets which he believes have become “unrecognisable” for many people across the country.

The plans include mandating planning permission for adult gaming centres and any new shop selling tobacco and vapes, tightening the definition of a vape shop to close loopholes, stopping restrictions on councils’ ability to refuse betting and slot machine shops, and extending closure orders for up to 12 months.

Burnham said that it’s “not on” that the shops, services and spaces that “people are crying out for” are being replaced by vape and betting shops alongside “rogue operators”.

A survey carried out by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute in 2025 found that half of vape retailers, a third of American candy stores and a quarter of fast food takeaways have links with organised crime.

It also found that 61 per cent of Britons feel that their high streets have too many vape shops, while 52 per cent said the same of barber shops.

The survey also found that 99 per cent of trading standards professionals have seen an increase in cash-intensive businesses opening since 2020.

Responding to the proposals, Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council, said he would “welcome any opportunity” for councils and communities to have “better curation” of their local high streets.

He said Portsmouth needs to provide a “mixed offer” rather than “endless businesses of the name nature, especially when they’re promoting products are only available to adults”.

“What we don’t want instead is empty shops, and therefore, we do need urgent action on the rate reform so that we can encourage independent businesses back onto our High Street.”

The Prime Minister has called for a 20 per cent cut to business rates for pubs, clubs and live music venues from April next year, with more phased reforms expected going forward.

“We used to be known as a nation of shopkeepers,” he said, echoing concerns around the proliferation of vape, betting and barber shops, arguing that councils should be able to “decide” a “reasonable number” of them for a particular areas.

He said he “cautiously welcomes” Burnham’s proposals “pending further detail to know exactly what powers we would get”.

Cllr Charlotte Gerada, leader of the Labour group added: “One of the biggest issues residents raise with us is the proliferation of vape shops, betting shops and rogue businesses in Portsmouth. It’s bringing down our high streets and chipping away at pride in our city.”

She said that “for too long” local authorities and communities have “grasping at straws” trying to stop new vape shops opening “with serious concerns about what’s going on behind the doors of these businesses”.

“Like on Albert Road recently where despite overwhelming resident opposition, we were unable to stop a late-night alcohol and vape shop opening up opposite a primary school.

“The Prime Minister is giving us the power to clean up our high streets for good, so we can restore pride in our high streets again.”

Stephen Morgan, Labour MP for Portsmouth South, said: “Time and again, local people here in Portsmouth have told me how dodgy vape shops and rogue businesses have blighted our high streets and damaged pride in our town centres, which I was I launched my ‘Stop Dodgy Shops’ campaign.

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

“Together, we can support good local businesses, breathe new life into our high streets and build a more hopeful future for Portsmouth.”

The plans have been criticised by other parties, including the Conservatives, who said the proposals could result in more empty and boarded-up shops.

Reform UK echoed these concerns, arguing nothing will change unless employer National Insurance contributions and “sky-high” business rates are challenged.

The Green Party described the proposals as mere “tinkering” and called for councils to be able to introduce rent controls for small businesses.

Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, chair of the Local Government Association, said the “extra powers will help councils in revitalising high streets and shaping their communities, particularly in regulating betting and vaping shops, while also breathing new life into empty premises.”