The Prime Minister’s announcement of new powers for councils to tackle the over-concentration of vape and betting shops on our high streets is welcome.
We’ve seen a marked increase in these businesses in Oldham. Councils need the tools to act where there is over-concentration and too many end up replacing services and community spaces people rely on.
Alongside these new powers, the Government is already investing £20m in National Crime Agency officers to crack down on dodgy shops and our new Mayor Bev Craig announcing this week a £20m high streets fund for local businesses and community groups to shape their high streets.
This is all good news for our high streets and for the many law-abiding businesses that too often get tarred with the same brush.
We need to make sure we get our fair share of the additional enforcement resources.
