Andy Burnham, now serving as Prime Minister, has confirmed a significant policy shift regarding barber shops and hairdressers, with a focus on protecting both customers and reputable businesses. This new approach involves a crackdown on so-called “dodgy” barbers, as part of broader efforts to revitalise high streets.
These proposals, initially introduced by Sir Keir Starmer’s government, grant police the authority to close down suspect establishments - including barbers, vape shops, and nail salons - for periods of up to one year.
Mr Burnham commented on the changes, stating: “These changes are about giving local people something they lost a while back: the power to say no. They’re about wrestling back the control taken from our communities decades ago and finally giving them a proper say on what happens to the places they call home.”
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He continued, “But they’re also just the beginning. Because saying no is only half the job. We don’t just want fewer vape and betting shops. We want more butchers, bakers and bookshops - the businesses that make a high street feel like home.”
Echoing this sentiment, Eamonn O’Brien, chairman of the Local Government Association, remarked: “It is positive that councils and communities will get a greater say on what shops and services are found on their high streets through these changes to the Use Class Order which will require vape shops to acquire planning permission.”
He added, “Extra powers will help councils in revitalising high streets and shaping their communities, particularly in regulating betting and vaping shops, while also breathing new life into empty premises.”
Joshua Nicholson, head of housing and communities at the Centre for Social Justice, said: “Britain’s high streets have been hijacked by a growing number of dodgy vape shops, mini marts, and barbers, many of which are linked to organised crime. The Government is right to give councils new powers to say no to these dodgy shops. High street renewal is vital to restoring security within our communities.”