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New vape shops will require planning permission and councils will get more powers to stop betting shops, under government plans aimed at improving high streets.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said town centres had been "hollowed out" by decades of decline and "for many people, the high streets they grew up with have become unrecognisable".
BBC News has exposed organised crime on high streets across the country, revealing shops selling illegal cigarettes and vapes, selling cannabis and cocaine, enabling illegal working and suspected money-laundering.
The Conservatives and Reform said the proposals would lead to "more empty" shops, without tax relief for other small businesses.
Burnham said the measures will give councils more power to control what businesses open in town centres.
The proposals come as the prime minister embarks on a tour of the UK, with Downing Street saying he will be in "listening mode" during his visits as he works on a "10-year plan to bring back hope".
The plans announced by the government include:
Changes to planning law which would mean every new shop selling e-cigarettes, or vapes, would need to apply to their local council for permission to open (England only)
Tightening the definition of a vape shop to prevent businesses avoiding the rules by describing themselves as a general convenience store or retailer (England only)
Scrapping a rule known as "aim to permit", which currently restricts councils' ability to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops (Great Britain-wide)
Requiring planning permission for new adult gaming centres, which offer 24-hour access to gambling machines (England only)
New powers to extend closure orders for mini-marts and vape shops found to be selling illegal tobacco or up to twelve months, something previously proposed by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (England and Wales)
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through high street stores in the UK each year through businesses connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working and illegal drug supply.
Burnham said "the rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for".
He added: "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."
Two men stand outside a vape shop called Top Store
In response to the announcement, Conservative shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said "once-treasured shops" have been replaced by a "smattering of rogue operators".
But Sir James said increases to business rates by Labour had left "empty units for whoever is left standing to fill".
He said: "Unless the government takes steps to support the high streets and hard-working businesses, Labour's increases in planning regulation will just mean more empty and boarded up shops."
For the Liberal Democrats, home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson said Burnham's plan "could go up in a puff of smoke" unless he toughens up powers to "properly crack down on cowboy vape shops and dodgy operators".
His calls included asking the prime minister to scrap the business rates system.
Reform UK economy spokesman Robert Jenrick said: "Until this government scraps the jobs tax, addresses sky-high business rates and provides real, fundamental support for high street businesses, this policy will only create even more empty shops on our high streets."
A Green Party spokesperson said the government's proposals "look like more inadequate tinkering and reannouncements".
They called on the prime minister to "go further and allow councils to introduce rent controls for small businesses".
The Betting and Gaming Council said it supports "tough action against criminal operator" and agrees "local people should have a proper say over their high streets".
A spokesperson for the industry body added it was "simply wrong" to suggest that betting shops are spreading "unchecked", adding around 3,000 shops have closed since 2019.
Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, who chairs the Local Government Association, said it was "positive" that councils and communities "will get a greater say on what shops and services are found on their high streets".
For 18 months, BBC News has reported on high street organised crime, including drug gangs, money laundering, child sexual exploitation reports, immigration crime and ghost directors linked to shop fronts selling illegal cigarettes and illegal vapes.
In April 2025, the BBC joined the NCA as it raided barbers, mini-marts and vape shops in response to growing intelligence reports that some of these shops were being used for money laundering and illegal working.
In May and June of last year, the team found secret underground tunnels supplying sacks of illegal cigarettes to high street mini-marts in Hull.
In July last year, mass Freedom of Information requests revealed for the first time that 3,700 illegal shops had operated across the UK.
In November, the BBC exposed asylum seekers buying and selling high street mini-marts for cash and criminal kingpins erasing £60,000 illegal working fines, and revealed a Kurdish organised crime gang operating on high streets the length of Britain.
In response, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launched an "urgent" investigation led by the NCA, Immigration Enforcement, HMRC and police forces from across the country.
She said the BBC's evidence proved that "the system was broken" and demonstrated a pull factor in the small boat crisis.
26:00
Figure caption,
Exposed: The High Street Crime Crisis
In March the BBC revealed a senior council worker had repeatedly shared with West Midlands authorities reports of children as young as 11 being sexually abused in high street mini-marts, and last month undercover reports exposed how cocaine, cannabis, laughing gas and prescription pills were being offered for sale.
One street visited in the West Midlands was described as "lawless" by an anonymous law enforcement source.
After the report, six mini-marts and vape shops on one high street in Cradely Heath, Sandwell were forced to close following an investigation by police and Trading Standards.
Earlier this year, ministers announced a £30m enforcement operation targeting high street businesses suspected of money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working.
Raids involving police, HMRC, Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement have since taken place across the country.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg90el9236o
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said town centres had been "hollowed out" by decades of decline and "for many people, the high streets they grew up with have become unrecognisable".
BBC News has exposed organised crime on high streets across the country, revealing shops selling illegal cigarettes and vapes, selling cannabis and cocaine, enabling illegal working and suspected money-laundering.
The Conservatives and Reform said the proposals would lead to "more empty" shops, without tax relief for other small businesses.
Burnham said the measures will give councils more power to control what businesses open in town centres.
The proposals come as the prime minister embarks on a tour of the UK, with Downing Street saying he will be in "listening mode" during his visits as he works on a "10-year plan to bring back hope".
The plans announced by the government include:
Changes to planning law which would mean every new shop selling e-cigarettes, or vapes, would need to apply to their local council for permission to open (England only)
Tightening the definition of a vape shop to prevent businesses avoiding the rules by describing themselves as a general convenience store or retailer (England only)
Scrapping a rule known as "aim to permit", which currently restricts councils' ability to refuse new betting shops and 24-hour slot machine shops (Great Britain-wide)
Requiring planning permission for new adult gaming centres, which offer 24-hour access to gambling machines (England only)
New powers to extend closure orders for mini-marts and vape shops found to be selling illegal tobacco or up to twelve months, something previously proposed by former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (England and Wales)
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through high street stores in the UK each year through businesses connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working and illegal drug supply.
Burnham said "the rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for".
He added: "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."
Two men stand outside a vape shop called Top Store
In response to the announcement, Conservative shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly said "once-treasured shops" have been replaced by a "smattering of rogue operators".
But Sir James said increases to business rates by Labour had left "empty units for whoever is left standing to fill".
He said: "Unless the government takes steps to support the high streets and hard-working businesses, Labour's increases in planning regulation will just mean more empty and boarded up shops."
For the Liberal Democrats, home affairs spokesman Max Wilkinson said Burnham's plan "could go up in a puff of smoke" unless he toughens up powers to "properly crack down on cowboy vape shops and dodgy operators".
His calls included asking the prime minister to scrap the business rates system.
Reform UK economy spokesman Robert Jenrick said: "Until this government scraps the jobs tax, addresses sky-high business rates and provides real, fundamental support for high street businesses, this policy will only create even more empty shops on our high streets."
A Green Party spokesperson said the government's proposals "look like more inadequate tinkering and reannouncements".
They called on the prime minister to "go further and allow councils to introduce rent controls for small businesses".
The Betting and Gaming Council said it supports "tough action against criminal operator" and agrees "local people should have a proper say over their high streets".
A spokesperson for the industry body added it was "simply wrong" to suggest that betting shops are spreading "unchecked", adding around 3,000 shops have closed since 2019.
Councillor Eamonn O'Brien, who chairs the Local Government Association, said it was "positive" that councils and communities "will get a greater say on what shops and services are found on their high streets".
For 18 months, BBC News has reported on high street organised crime, including drug gangs, money laundering, child sexual exploitation reports, immigration crime and ghost directors linked to shop fronts selling illegal cigarettes and illegal vapes.
In April 2025, the BBC joined the NCA as it raided barbers, mini-marts and vape shops in response to growing intelligence reports that some of these shops were being used for money laundering and illegal working.
In May and June of last year, the team found secret underground tunnels supplying sacks of illegal cigarettes to high street mini-marts in Hull.
In July last year, mass Freedom of Information requests revealed for the first time that 3,700 illegal shops had operated across the UK.
In November, the BBC exposed asylum seekers buying and selling high street mini-marts for cash and criminal kingpins erasing £60,000 illegal working fines, and revealed a Kurdish organised crime gang operating on high streets the length of Britain.
In response, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launched an "urgent" investigation led by the NCA, Immigration Enforcement, HMRC and police forces from across the country.
She said the BBC's evidence proved that "the system was broken" and demonstrated a pull factor in the small boat crisis.
26:00
Figure caption,
Exposed: The High Street Crime Crisis
In March the BBC revealed a senior council worker had repeatedly shared with West Midlands authorities reports of children as young as 11 being sexually abused in high street mini-marts, and last month undercover reports exposed how cocaine, cannabis, laughing gas and prescription pills were being offered for sale.
One street visited in the West Midlands was described as "lawless" by an anonymous law enforcement source.
After the report, six mini-marts and vape shops on one high street in Cradely Heath, Sandwell were forced to close following an investigation by police and Trading Standards.
Earlier this year, ministers announced a £30m enforcement operation targeting high street businesses suspected of money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working.
Raids involving police, HMRC, Trading Standards and Immigration Enforcement have since taken place across the country.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg90el9236o
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Burnham said "the rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for".
Kn0b. Closing left right and cetre ya t1t
Kn0b. Closing left right and cetre ya t1t
As lief says, lumped them all together
Most of the betting shops closing will be replaced by vape shops, Turkish barbers etc
Not only showing ignorance of the actual situation, but his obvious hatred of betting shops...perhaps his Chancellor might remind him of the tax generated for the government by betting shops
Most of the betting shops closing will be replaced by vape shops, Turkish barbers etc
Not only showing ignorance of the actual situation, but his obvious hatred of betting shops...perhaps his Chancellor might remind him of the tax generated for the government by betting shops
hundreds and thousands of betting offices are closing ...who the hell wants to open one ? What a moron.
:)
An inner-city part of Manchester that was a bustling hub for counterfeit goods before a major police crackdown has now emerged as "Britain's vape capital".
Two narrow streets in Cheetham Hill are filled with bright, colourful shopfronts with names such as Vaporesso, Xhale and The Vape Boyz.
There are 51 shops selling vapes on Harris Street and Overbridge Road, something residents have said is "crazy", while a government minister has admitted it is "bizarre".
The stores, which sell wholesale to customers coming from as far away as Glasgow and Edinburgh, emerged after 200 shops in the area were shut down in a two-year police operation to tackle the fake clothes trade and drug dealing.
The area had been described as the UK's counterfeit capital, with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of bogus goods seized by police as part of Operation Vulcan.
The crackdown saw Greater Manchester Police (GMP) make nearly 240 arrests and seize 1,050 tonnes of counterfeit items.
In the years since, vape supermarkets filled with stock and large billboards advertising their wares have emerged in the area, which is near Strangeways prison.
Traders have described it as "Britain's vape capital".
An inner-city part of Manchester that was a bustling hub for counterfeit goods before a major police crackdown has now emerged as "Britain's vape capital".
Two narrow streets in Cheetham Hill are filled with bright, colourful shopfronts with names such as Vaporesso, Xhale and The Vape Boyz.
There are 51 shops selling vapes on Harris Street and Overbridge Road, something residents have said is "crazy", while a government minister has admitted it is "bizarre".
The stores, which sell wholesale to customers coming from as far away as Glasgow and Edinburgh, emerged after 200 shops in the area were shut down in a two-year police operation to tackle the fake clothes trade and drug dealing.
The area had been described as the UK's counterfeit capital, with hundreds of millions of pounds worth of bogus goods seized by police as part of Operation Vulcan.
The crackdown saw Greater Manchester Police (GMP) make nearly 240 arrests and seize 1,050 tonnes of counterfeit items.
In the years since, vape supermarkets filled with stock and large billboards advertising their wares have emerged in the area, which is near Strangeways prison.
Traders have described it as "Britain's vape capital".
It is the clown work we have come to expect from the State. A demonstrable, proven failure on a local level is promoted to take his failure national.
Cider
I was in prestwich last night which borders cheetham hill there was huge police activity and plenty of the unmarked cars heading in that direction.
I was in prestwich last night which borders cheetham hill there was huge police activity and plenty of the unmarked cars heading in that direction.
On the original topic it’s disappointing betting shops are mentioned in the same sentence than these other establishments run by our friends from overseas.
I was quite familiar the story of counterfeit capital, Cheetham Hill, central Manchester which is why I recalled it. I was unaware that it had morphed into the vape capital since the authorities eventually found the bottle (safety in numbers) to do something about it. A similar tale to the practically untouchable sweat shops of Leicester.
There is a strong link to the original article in my view. As the suggestion that these operations going on are outside the powers of councils is absolutely ludicrous, as is betting shops opening in spite of council objections. Obviously no idiot is wanting to open new betting shops in England anyway.
I don't believe he has mentioned fried chicken shops, fast food joints or uber eats hubs.
There is a strong link to the original article in my view. As the suggestion that these operations going on are outside the powers of councils is absolutely ludicrous, as is betting shops opening in spite of council objections. Obviously no idiot is wanting to open new betting shops in England anyway.
I don't believe he has mentioned fried chicken shops, fast food joints or uber eats hubs.
It's subtle enough but mixing betting shops in this gaslighting is firm evidence that Burnham's beliefs lay firmly with those who sit on the plp back benches. Obviously anyone involved in it is fully aware betting shop numbers are in rapid decline. So it's only been included for signalling and vibe.
There is a dogma among them that 'poor' people simply cannot tolerate having a betting shop near them without succumbing to the evil of spending some of their benefits in them. Similar to not being able to walk past mars bars at a checkout. Interesting times ahead, if we weren't already aware.
There is a dogma among them that 'poor' people simply cannot tolerate having a betting shop near them without succumbing to the evil of spending some of their benefits in them. Similar to not being able to walk past mars bars at a checkout. Interesting times ahead, if we weren't already aware.
Makes the false individual feel good,hoping that it makes him look good…..
The false individual knows the shops are dropping like flies tbh….
The false individual knows individual is a million to visit the shores during boat arrival……
The false individual has no presence,no stamp…..
Reform ! Hip hip……
The false individual knows the shops are dropping like flies tbh….
The false individual knows individual is a million to visit the shores during boat arrival……
The false individual has no presence,no stamp…..
Reform ! Hip hip……
He will fall to the knees of the French individual like the last one…..billion and counting…..
C#nt…
C#nt…
Strange puffing on vapes …..never understood the logic tbh…..multi flavour…..lol
Changed its name barstool in 1994 I’ve yet to hear anyone not call it strangeways
Wasn't Boddington's Brewery there as well jimnast?
What is the prison now called?
What is the prison now called?
Boddingtons went in the 80s 
it’s now called Manchester prison,back in the 70/80s I played football in the blackley league the league was for some reason ran from the prison and if you were in front of the committee for what ever reason you would go to the prison ,couldn’t happen nowadays.
it’s now called Manchester prison,back in the 70/80s I played football in the blackley league the league was for some reason ran from the prison and if you were in front of the committee for what ever reason you would go to the prison ,couldn’t happen nowadays.
I agree he's totally not understanding the current climate of betting shops already closing, but have no problem with them disappearing or certainly reducing from the steets. Good riddance. They were once a scurge with pictures of three different shops in row in poorer areas of towns.
I appreciate there are plenty other awful types of shops on streets these days too however, but that's a wider question.
I appreciate there are plenty other awful types of shops on streets these days too however, but that's a wider question.
Incredible to think you could play sport at such places barstool,pretty sure strangeways had a team in the Wednesday afternoon league in which they would have met there match as there were some right nutcases playing in it despite the pretty high standard.
There are so many vape shops, barbers, nail salons etc in town these days one has to wonder how they can make in money at all. Did read that some Turkish Barbers sell drugs as well but surely they cannot all be at it.
My cricket was played in a much more traditional place woodhouses where in the years between me playing then my son playing micheal atherton started his cricket in fact opposite the ground is atherton close named after him and I still see his mum and dad in the cricket club.
High streets have evolved, and anything convenience (food, drink) and service (e.g. nails) based seemed to survive or flourish. Not many product shops did well, that can be bought online - e.g. clothes or other equipment. Not sure why vapes are so popular (awful rubbish).
Aug 11, 2026 -- 2:31PM, stu wrote:
I agree he's totally not understanding the current climate of betting shops already closing, but have no problem with them disappearing or certainly reducing from the steets. Good riddance. They were once a scurge with pictures of three different shops in row in poorer areas of towns. I appreciate there are plenty other awful types of shops on streets these days too however, but that's a wider question.
Service providers site where the demand is, not the other way around. You won't find too many Waitrose stores ripping folks off sited at housing estates. Middle class mum's are all too happy to be ripped off, as long as they get the Waitrose carriers.
I realise that in the height of FOBTs, the operators created these shops simply to increase the number of terminals they could have.
But the high status opinion, that betting shops create the demand is hogwash. The same as putting mars bars at checkouts didn't make fat people buy mars bars. Fat people will always be able to source mars bars, as long as they are manufactured!
So many of these stories have a similar common denominator. Ultimately, Labour party ideology is that a vast chunk of the electorate are too thick to be responsible for their own choices, so the only solution is to remove the temptation.
Back in those good old days barstool you went to the barbers for a haircut and on the way out he would ask you if you wanted anything for the weekend
Usually alongside the other downbeat types of shops as above discussed.
Played against them jimnast, for Rufford, in the Village KO comp. Mike Atherton's younger brother opened the bowling for them, must be 25 years ago now. Still involved there and go to watch every week. Had the pleasure of meeting Mike in Mount Mangganui, NZ a couple of times. He was kind enough to chat to my wife and I for a few minutes and seemed a very decent man.
the 'high street' debate is multi-factored. things have changed that will never be reversed. shopping centres, restricted parking, cars restricted, the internet (obviously!).
I've not been in a shop for any purpose for at least two years.
It's the plp that deregulated gambling. I seem to recall new labour wanted las vegas style 24hr casinos and all sorts. I seem to recall they also completely softened up alcohol licences. I had zero interest in politics back then, but it's in the back of my mind.
I've not been in a shop for any purpose for at least two years.
It's the plp that deregulated gambling. I seem to recall new labour wanted las vegas style 24hr casinos and all sorts. I seem to recall they also completely softened up alcohol licences. I had zero interest in politics back then, but it's in the back of my mind.
For sure, the political views of gambling have changed too - though I think that's multi-party sadly on that, so wouldn't make much difference who was in power.
Yes he seems a decent bloke the club won the village cup at lords in 2011 younger brother is Chris they have just secured a very lucrative sponsorship from sheridan who are famous for lifts but have now started dealing in concrete,skips and property the owner is having a house built just outside the village it’s the size of a major airport
Only certain gambling though. Lottery, bingo, euromillions, omaze, all good.
Yup - and gambling advertising still totally fine apparently....
I know you are a Reform supporter cider - do you know what policy they have on gambling at all?
Hopefully no policy as it’s pretty irrelevant in the context of what’s going on in the country/world
I wouldn't say I was a supporter, but they are the only viable option for me currently. I know that Farage attends a lot of big race meetings, loves horseracing and a bet. And we know what he thinks about banks interfering in your activities, so I can't imagine they would be planning to do anything restrictive or invasive. Rolling things back is much more difficult, but if they actually won power I'd say they have much bigger fights to worry about. However, they do want to restructure how day to day government functions, so binning quangos will be a realistic prospect. The GC would be an easier one as nobody would miss them if they disappeared, not like the traffic lights would stop working.
So, overall you'd say they would be less restrictive on gambling?
Protecting Personal Freedom: Leader Nigel Farage has criticized new statutory levies and tighter restrictions as "anti-fun," stating that Reform aims to protect the public's right to gamble casually.
Opposition to High Street Restrictions: Reform representatives have pushed back against government moves to grant local councils extra powers to block new betting and high street gaming shops, arguing that tighter restrictions will only lead to more empty shops and push punters toward the unregulated black market.
Industry Engagement: Senior party figures have met with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) to discuss threats of industry tax hikes, aligning with arguments that excessive taxation harms both consumers and licensed operators.
Opposition to High Street Restrictions: Reform representatives have pushed back against government moves to grant local councils extra powers to block new betting and high street gaming shops, arguing that tighter restrictions will only lead to more empty shops and push punters toward the unregulated black market.
Industry Engagement: Senior party figures have met with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) to discuss threats of industry tax hikes, aligning with arguments that excessive taxation harms both consumers and licensed operators.
That definitely looks like AI!
My own judgement, to actually win a majority they'll have to (pardon the pun) not scare the horses. So I wouldn't anticipate anything seen as radical, directly in this space. But definitely getting rid of any prospect of affordability checks, and binning anything already in place by that time.
My own judgement, to actually win a majority they'll have to (pardon the pun) not scare the horses. So I wouldn't anticipate anything seen as radical, directly in this space. But definitely getting rid of any prospect of affordability checks, and binning anything already in place by that time.
Nigel likes a punt so they won't be trying to restrict gamblers 
jimnast - the National Village cup is a great competition, gives all local players a chance to dream of playing at Lords.
I started work in 1978 and one of the first people i worked with just happened to be captaining Linton Park (Maidstone area) at Lords in the NV final that first week i was there. They won a low scoring affair, what a thrill that must have been lifting a trophy at the home of cricket.
They won the trophy again in 1999 but by then my mate was not a first team regular but he was still at the club. They beat Woodhouse Grange then, who i believe have won the trophy no less than four times themselves, some achievement.
jimnast - the National Village cup is a great competition, gives all local players a chance to dream of playing at Lords.
I started work in 1978 and one of the first people i worked with just happened to be captaining Linton Park (Maidstone area) at Lords in the NV final that first week i was there. They won a low scoring affair, what a thrill that must have been lifting a trophy at the home of cricket.
They won the trophy again in 1999 but by then my mate was not a first team regular but he was still at the club. They beat Woodhouse Grange then, who i believe have won the trophy no less than four times themselves, some achievement.
Yes. I'd say gambling generally isn't overly regulated as it is. The two pressing issues are tax and ACs.
Definitely ACs are an easy win, and in the real world I don't think many people will feel ACs are very appropriate.
Tax is a trickier one, as many of the public have been convinced that taxing 'bad things' is good, lowering taxes on bookies wouldn't be net positive in electoral terms. As I allude to, they'll have bigger fights and more important areas where taxation needs to be more sensible. But this is only my guess from a political standpoint.
Definitely ACs are an easy win, and in the real world I don't think many people will feel ACs are very appropriate.
Tax is a trickier one, as many of the public have been convinced that taxing 'bad things' is good, lowering taxes on bookies wouldn't be net positive in electoral terms. As I allude to, they'll have bigger fights and more important areas where taxation needs to be more sensible. But this is only my guess from a political standpoint.
Dixie
It must be great to play at lords I use to get a real buzz watching Lancashire there ,my son did play at old Trafford which is great but it isn’t lords.
Woodhouse grange is a Yorkshire club a very successful one I would think the most successful one at village level
It must be great to play at lords I use to get a real buzz watching Lancashire there ,my son did play at old Trafford which is great but it isn’t lords.
Woodhouse grange is a Yorkshire club a very successful one I would think the most successful one at village level
Talking cricket and Lancashire Freddie flintofts lad hit his first century at Taunton today
Farage loves cricket more than racing as it happens, massive nut. He is very friendly with some England alumni.
Spoylesports currently expanding their operations in Ireland and here in the UK.
Take the machines out of shops and they're f4cked.
Take the machines out of shops and they're f4cked.
how may chemicals go in a blueberry ice flavour vape
If these 'shops' have links with organised crime then any illegal vapes they may be selling could contain 20 colours of cr4p none of which will do you any good. The high street full of young people thinking it's trendy to vape.
Article posted with reference but the forum Police have their snickers in a Twix.
Used to be trendy to smoke, it follows same pattern of trendy stupidity.
'Earlier this year, ministers announced a £30m enforcement operation targeting high street businesses suspected of money laundering, tax evasion and illegal working.'
In my hometown in the centre of the south of England, about 8 Turkish hairdressers have sprung up over the last 10 years or so. Most of them have a lot more staff than customers. It's a medium size market town with a population of about 45,000. Total number of hairdressers though is getting on for 20 in and around the town centre.
Just an observation!
In my hometown in the centre of the south of England, about 8 Turkish hairdressers have sprung up over the last 10 years or so. Most of them have a lot more staff than customers. It's a medium size market town with a population of about 45,000. Total number of hairdressers though is getting on for 20 in and around the town centre.
Just an observation!
It is an accurate observation and what the changes being made are about, nothing to do with vapes or haircuts and the "Bookies" being targeted are the 24/7 mini casinos not main stream firms. Not that you would get that from this thread or the RP insinuating otherwise about the definition of bookies.
The non entity doesn’t really care tbh,makes him look good,caring individual,load of baloney tbh…
Oldham must have around 50 takeaways you would think someone in the council or police would be curious about this because nobody eats out in Oldham other than weatherspoons
Betting shops as such are closing not opening. But I get the concern about the 24/7 "adult gaming venues" - just rows of gaming machines.
Indeed longbridge it’s not out of the question these politicians don’t know the difference between betting shops and these arcades
I've got a couple of these gaming shops fairly local but you rarely see anyone in them.
Betting shops however, from say 20 plus within a four mile radius of me 10-12 years ago, now there's only four left I think. One Paddy, one Fred and two Hills.
Betting shops however, from say 20 plus within a four mile radius of me 10-12 years ago, now there's only four left I think. One Paddy, one Fred and two Hills.
I can’t see why betting shops are been targeted I often pop into them absolutely nothing wrong with them ,possibly big city centres have a few undesirable in both in the main there fine.
In my hometown in the centre of the south of England, about 8 Turkish hairdressers have sprung up over the last 10 years or so. Most of them have a lot more staff than customers. It's a medium size market town with a population of about 45,000. Total number of hairdressers though is getting on for 20 in and around the town centre.
Det Insp Daniel Fenn, on his ninth raid of the week, says some barber shops such as this are claiming income of £100,000 to £150,000 a month.
how many haircuts you doing to make £150,000 a month ??
Det Insp Daniel Fenn, on his ninth raid of the week, says some barber shops such as this are claiming income of £100,000 to £150,000 a month.
how many haircuts you doing to make £150,000 a month ??
depends which town in the south
if its brighton tony carroll would account for that
if its brighton tony carroll would account for that
As I alluded to, it's subtle enough but red meat to the far left of his party. I'd say it's a pretty dangerous indication of the way he is going to 'govern'.
Rapid spread of betting shops ffs I live in Manchester and can’t remember the last new one to open
butlers constituents were stupid enough to elect her so shop mugs to be expected
what the idiot doesnt realise is that the reason there are more shops in tottenham is because of footfall. there will be 10k people within half a mile of them. every property is multi-occupancy (to house all the people she luvs who cram into london) and has many times the population of other areas with few shops
what the idiot doesnt realise is that the reason there are more shops in tottenham is because of footfall. there will be 10k people within half a mile of them. every property is multi-occupancy (to house all the people she luvs who cram into london) and has many times the population of other areas with few shops
This was quite prominent in the news at the time, I seem to recall. If memory serves, loads of back bencher Labour MPs signed a letter supporting the demands.
Impossible et al, just to put your minds at rest, the targets are the 24/7 mini casinos not the established licenced establishments.
Burnham said "the rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for".
More misinformation from the BBC. Or Burnham is gaslighting.
More misinformation from the BBC. Or Burnham is gaslighting.
Rapid spread of betting shops ffs I live in Manchester and can’t remember the last new one to open
Which is why I find it odd that in July of 2025 Spoylesports "pledged to open 200 new shops and create 1,000 jobs as they look to grow in a market that its bosses say is the UK’s under-appreciated market. As it stands, 390 shops across Ireland and the UK".
Vlad Kaltenieks, ****’ CEO, has claimed that his company complies with all legal requirements, and that compliance was one of the firm’s priorities. The UK’s strong regulation is what makes the new investment attractive, he added.
“The UK is one of the most exciting, well-regulated and competitive betting landscapes in the world, and we believe we offer something genuinely different to customers,” he said.
https://gamblingtv.com/featured/2025/07/01/****-plan-to-open-hundreds-of-new-betting-shops-despite-damning-uk-figures/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Which is why I find it odd that in July of 2025 Spoylesports "pledged to open 200 new shops and create 1,000 jobs as they look to grow in a market that its bosses say is the UK’s under-appreciated market. As it stands, 390 shops across Ireland and the UK".
Vlad Kaltenieks, ****’ CEO, has claimed that his company complies with all legal requirements, and that compliance was one of the firm’s priorities. The UK’s strong regulation is what makes the new investment attractive, he added.
“The UK is one of the most exciting, well-regulated and competitive betting landscapes in the world, and we believe we offer something genuinely different to customers,” he said.
https://gamblingtv.com/featured/2025/07/01/****-plan-to-open-hundreds-of-new-betting-shops-despite-damning-uk-figures/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Has he turned a blind eye on the kebab houses serving extremely dodgy and unhealthy food to the very few who use them yet rows and rows of them in our towns and cities.
As I cited, he was in charge of the vape shop 'capital' of Britain. Now he is moaning about the proliferation of. Vape shops. Don't you just love politicians
Leif I have been told boyles have decided to cut back already in the uk to the best of my knowledge they only have one shop in Manchester City centre which is a small shop in china town which I was in last week along with about 1/2 dozen Chinese people only one member of staff which indicates there not expecting much
Manchester 48A Faulkner Street
Manchester 49 Old Church Street, Newton Heath
Manchester 585B Wilbraham Road
these open, new?
Manchester 49 Old Church Street, Newton Heath
Manchester 585B Wilbraham Road
these open, new?
Two of those are out of the city newton heath is where Manchester United were founded wilbraham road is south around 30 minutes from the centre,they also have one in Ashton and Oldham I think the Ashton one is a decent shop they have a system were you tap the bets in if it’s a multiple it tells you potential returns and doesn’t ask your age or where the funds have come from.
A London park named after William Gladstone could be rebranded Diane Abbott Park as part of a slavery review by a Labour-run council in the capital.
Gladstone Park, in north west London, got its name from the former prime minister in 1899.
But now the London park’s name could be changing in 2022 after Brent council asked schoolchildren aged five to 13 to come up with a shortlist of ideas for a rebrand.
Hackney Labour MP Ms Abbott’s name is among the suggestions as well as BAME Park, Multi-faith Park and Diversity Fields, according to The Telegraph.
The project sets out to address “injustice, prejudice and racism” in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Brent Council said Gladstone, who called slavery “the foulest crime”, a “historical figure, whose views in association with the slave trade, are inappropriate”.
It remains Gladstone Park in 2026, fortunately!
Gladstone Park, in north west London, got its name from the former prime minister in 1899.
But now the London park’s name could be changing in 2022 after Brent council asked schoolchildren aged five to 13 to come up with a shortlist of ideas for a rebrand.
Hackney Labour MP Ms Abbott’s name is among the suggestions as well as BAME Park, Multi-faith Park and Diversity Fields, according to The Telegraph.
The project sets out to address “injustice, prejudice and racism” in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Brent Council said Gladstone, who called slavery “the foulest crime”, a “historical figure, whose views in association with the slave trade, are inappropriate”.
It remains Gladstone Park in 2026, fortunately!
What delightful cultural maxism awaits us if he follows through with the plan to give local councils huge powers.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has suggested that wealthy areas of the UK should house more asylum seekers.
"We cannot have a situation where it's only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers," he told GB News , externalon Tuesday.
His comments came in response to a question about protests which have taken place in the village of Piddington, Oxfordshire over plans to provide accommodation for asylum seekers on a nearby former military base.
But shadow home secretary Chris Philp, responding to Burnham's comments, said: "We shouldn't be housing illegal immigrants anywhere – wealthy or not."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204d4z1gg8o
"We cannot have a situation where it's only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers," he told GB News , externalon Tuesday.
His comments came in response to a question about protests which have taken place in the village of Piddington, Oxfordshire over plans to provide accommodation for asylum seekers on a nearby former military base.
But shadow home secretary Chris Philp, responding to Burnham's comments, said: "We shouldn't be housing illegal immigrants anywhere – wealthy or not."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204d4z1gg8o
if chinatown wasn't in manchester the boils and the freds round the corner wouldn't be there either. how many would that leave ? hardly a proliferation.
Proliferation - a rapid and sudden increase in the number, amount, or spread of something.
Proliferation - a rapid and sudden increase in the number, amount, or spread of something.
It's not quite the full story. Piddington is tiny, cica 350 people. They want to install 1250 illegal immigrants, who are free to go wherever they want.
Female family members and especially any kids will need to be permanently escorted. And I should imagine your property will be bordering on unsellable.
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