Crawley councillors have welcomed the news that local authorities could be given more powers to stop vape and betting shops from opening in town centres.
Under government plans to improve high streets, new vape shops will require planning permission, while the Gambling Act’s ‘Aim to Permit’ rule – which limits the ability of councils to refuse new betting shops – will be dropped.
On top of this, the definition of a vape shop will be tightened to stop businesses getting around the new rules by claiming to be a general convenience store or retailer.
Michael Jones, leader of the borough council, said: “I do warmly welcome the news, it’s a useful step forward, and I certainly believe this announcement from the Burnham government will be a very helpful tool for the council in our work to support and build up the town centre.
“We look forward to seeing the detail in the Government’s plans.
“Many people don’t realise that virtually all of the retail units in the town centre are privately owned and, up until now, the council really didn’t have any powers to prevent a preponderance of any particular type of business.”
Announcing the proposed changes, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said high streets had been ‘hollowed out by the unchecked spread of vape stores, betting shops, and rogue businesses that do little to serve local communities’. Crawley certainly has its share of both.
James Tidy (Ref, Pound Hill North & Forge Wood) said: “I think we are now aware that vape shops are selling vapes to people who have not previously been smokers and we have all seen the increase in under 18s vaping in Crawley’s town centre.
“I hope this legislation makes vape shop owners, think twice before opening a shop in Crawley.
“I would also not like to see an increase in betting shops on our high streets. My concern would be if this will drive more people to on-line gambling, which can be a lot more dangerous.”
Over the past few years, Crawley town centre has undergone something of a regeneration, with work carried out – and ongoing – to improve roads and the public realm.
Mr Jones: “County Mall shopping centre is performing very well and the improvement works at the Martlets and the Station Gateway are well under way. The council has also invested significantly in an events programme this summer to help support Crawley’s hospitality industry.
“Hopefully these new changes announced [by the Prime Minister] will underpin this effective local action, and help create more variety for shoppers in the future.”
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