- Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled plans to revitalise Britain's high streets by scrapping Sir Tony Blair's "aim to permit" rule to give councils power to block betting shops.
- Under the new proposals, vape stores and 24-hour slot machine venues will require planning approval from next year, with tighter definitions to stop shops bypassing rules.
- Police will gain powers to close suspicious shops, including barbers, vape stores and nail salons, for up to a year to investigate potential ties to organised crime.
- The government will introduce design guidance for shop fronts to remove garish neon signs and make town centres visually more attractive.
- The Centre for Social Justice welcomed the initiative, although shadow local government secretary Sir James Cleverly warned that extra regulation without tax support could increase shop vacancies.
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