Andy Burnham, now Prime Minister, has confirmed plans to tighten regulations around certain high street businesses, including nail salons, in an effort to tackle issues caused by so-called “dodgy” establishments.
These proposals build upon initiatives first introduced by Mr Burnham’s predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer. The government will empower police to close down problematic barbers, vape shops, and nail salons for periods extending up to one year-a significant increase from the previous maximum closure duration of six months. This extension is intended to provide authorities with ample time to investigate premises suspected of links to organised crime.
Communities and Local Government Minister Angela Rayner emphasised the importance of restoring control to local areas. She stated: “People know when their high street isn’t working for them. Whether it’s the vape shop or betting shop that opened without local input, a neglected shopfront, or the feeling that no one’s managing the area, these issues have accumulated over years. But this government won’t leave councils and communities powerless to address everyday problems that mar our high streets.”
READ MORE: New Regulations Target ‘Dodgy’ Barber Shops and High Street Businesses Under Andy Burnham
She added that local leaders will now have the authority to refuse businesses that do not fit with the community’s vision for their high street, providing them with the tools to improve their surroundings independently.
Mr Burnham commented on the broader goal behind the crackdown, reflecting on the decline many high streets have experienced: “For many, the high streets they remember have been hollowed out and transformed over decades. The proliferation of vape shops, betting shops, and unscrupulous operators has displaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people desperately want back. That situation is unacceptable.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to revitalising Britain’s high streets, stating: “We’re giving communities real control and a meaningful say over what businesses operate on their high street. By equipping local councils with the necessary powers to manage unwanted shops, we are taking important steps to breathe new life into town centres.”