Hounslow Council is set to introduce new regulations aimed at controlling the proliferation of vape shops and betting shops on its high streets, utilising new government powers to gain greater control over the types of businesses that can open in town centres.
During a Borough Council meeting on Tuesday, 15 September 2026, councillors debated and approved a motion proposed by Councillor Karen Smith, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Public Realm, and seconded by Councillor Tom Bruce, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Economic Development. The motion welcomes new government powers that will allow local authorities greater control over the types of businesses that can open in town centres.
Councillor Smith highlighted that new vape shops currently do not require planning permission, and betting shops have benefited from an 'aim to permit' rule that has made it difficult for councils to refuse their licences. Essentially, the house always wins,
she stated, adding that these establishments are often found clustered in deprived areas and near schools.
The government has announced that they will consult to remove the 'aim to permit' rule for betting shops, which has limited local authorities' ability to reject their applications. Additionally, the government will tighten the definition of a 'vape shop', requiring them to apply for planning permission and preventing them from being disguised as convenience stores. These powers will be used by Hounslow Council to prevent the clustering of betting shops in the borough's most deprived communities and to stop vape shops from opening near schools.
Councillor Bruce emphasised the resilience of Hounslow's high streets, noting a 12% increase in footfall in Chiswick and significant spending increases in Brentford and Feltham. He stated that the motion is about bringing back that control and welcoming that control back into the council.
Councillor Smith concluded by saying, We have had no power to licence vape shops or most other shops up to now. And via licensing, we haven't had the power to block betting shops because of the aim to permit rule. So, yeah, that's all I've got to say on that.
The council's decision was documented in the Public reports pack for the meeting, available here.
