New powers to tackle vape shops in effort to improve city's 'community value' celebrated by Sheffield councillor
“It is about giving local people a proper say over their neighbourhood and stopping local shopping areas becoming dominated by the same types of premises”
A council leader has celebrated new powers being offered by the Government that will allow the planning committee to stamp out a rise in vape shops and bookies.
Andy Burnham’s Government has taken action over businesses it says do not add community value, giving additional powers to councils and local authorities to refuse permission for places like vape shops and gambling premises that have overtaken high streets.
Now, the local Labour contingent have celebrated these changes, saying that it will help bring empty shops back into use while giving them powers to take action against ‘rogue traders’.
David Barker, Labour’s joint-chair of Sheffield City Council’s Licensing Committee, said: “Residents can see what is happening in some of our local centres and the council has been left without the powers to do much about it.
“This is not about targeting responsible businesses. It is about giving local people a proper say over their neighbourhood and stopping local shopping areas becoming dominated by the same types of premises.
“We also cannot shy away from the more serious problem of dodgy businesses using seemingly legitimate businesses as fronts for money laundering, illegal working and organised crime. Ensuring these premises can be closed for up to a year will also give authorities a much stronger hand to investigate them properly.
“We're committed to using new powers to tackle unwanted vape shops and bookies. Together with our upcoming Neighbourhood Guarantee, Labour will use them to improve local shopping areas, take action against problem premises and support the businesses our communities value.”
When announcing the changes on Tuesday, August 11, the Government said that they will be closing loopholes in planning policy that allow gambling centres to open despite locals’ concerns.
Vape shops will also have higher standards for receiving permission, especially for proposals near to schools.
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.
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