Crawley councillors welcome news they could be given more powers to stop vape and betting shops from opening
Crawley councillors welcome government plans to tighten planning rules for vape and betting shops to protect the town centre.Summary
Crawley councillors have welcomed government plans to give local authorities more powers to control the opening of vape and betting shops. The proposed changes include requiring planning permission for new vape shops and dropping the Gambling Act's 'Aim to Permit' rule, which previously limited councils' ability to refuse new betting shops. The definition of a vape shop will also be tightened to prevent businesses from circumventing the rules by claiming to be general retailers. Michael Jones, leader of Crawley Borough Council, described the announcement as a useful step forward and a helpful tool for supporting the town centre. He noted that many retail units are privately owned and the council previously lacked powers to prevent a preponderance of specific business types. Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the changes, stating that high streets have been 'hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses.' James Tiddy expressed concerns about vape shops selling to non-smokers and the potential for increased online gambling. The town centre has undergone regeneration, with improvements to the County Mall, Martlets, and Station Gateway, and the council has invested in an events programme to support the hospitality industry. The new measures are expected to underpin these efforts and create more variety for shoppers.
(Source：Sussexworld)
