New vape shops will require planning permission and councils will get more powers to block new betting shops, under government plans aimed at improving high streets. Burnham told the BBC that the changes would make it "easier for police to close a vape shop and have it closed for longer". He said: "At the same time we're changing the planning regime... which should stop the proliferation of vape shops on our high streets." Burnham said he did not accept the decline of the high street as "inevitable". "I don't see why anywhere should have to accept they have empty shops, vape shops and the challenges that come with that."