Brent Council's leader has welcomed government plans to give local authorities more power to block new gambling premises, following a long-running campaign in the borough. The move comes after Brent declared a 'gambling harms emergency' last month, citing the impact of gambling on public health, community safety, and inequality.
Government to Scrap 'Aim to Permit' Rule
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to scrapping the 'Aim to Permit' rule, which currently prevents councils from refusing new gambling applications. Under the proposed changes, gambling premises would require planning permission, and police and local authorities would gain stronger powers to close rogue businesses for longer periods.
Brent already has more than 80 licensed gambling venues, including ten within a ten-minute walk of each other in Harlesden. The council has argued that high streets should be shaped by residents' needs, not by rules that force approval of new venues, leaving communities feeling powerless.
Campaign Win for Brent
Council Leader Cllr Muhammed Butt described the announcement as "fantastic news for every community that has said 'enough is enough'" and a "huge campaign win for Brent." He noted that councils have had "one hand tied behind their backs" when residents raised concerns about gambling venue proliferation.
"Brent has been clear: local people should have the power to shape the places where they live, shop and spend time," Butt said. "We worked with councils and mayors across the country, commissioned reports and called repeatedly for the Aim to Permit rule to be scrapped because the current system is not working for communities."
Broader High Street Concerns
The announcement follows a report by the Social Market Foundation, sponsored by Brent last year, which called for urgent reforms to restore local control over Adult Gaming Centres. The report recommended reviewing the Aim to Permit rule, strengthening council licensing tools, and closing loopholes that allow sites to open under other licence types.
Analysis by the Centre for Social Justice found that Britain has lost nearly 1,800 pubs and bars since 2016, while the number of vape and tobacco shops increased to almost 2,200. Similar concerns have been raised about the clustering of gambling premises in deprived areas, visible across parts of Brent.
New Measures to Double Closure Orders
In addition to planning changes, the maximum length of Closure Orders will double from six to 12 months, giving authorities more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime and prevent rogue businesses from reopening. The measures will also apply to barbers and vape shops, which are becoming more prominent in areas like Wembley.
Prime Minister Burnham said: "For many people, the high streets they grew up with have been hollowed out and become unrecognisable over decades of decline. The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for."
Burnham 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. Local councils will be given the powers they need to rein in unwanted shops and bring town centres back to life."
The government's proposed changes are set to restore local democracy and give councils the tools to support healthier, safer high streets, according to Brent Council.
