(Image: Oxfordshire County Council)"For too long, councils have been left with limited powers to challenge the unchecked spread of betting shops, vape shops and businesses that can undermine the safety and vitality of our local centres," she said. Mr Burnham said high streets across the UK have become "unrecognisable over decades of decline" as he announced the changes. "The rise of vape shops, betting shops and rogue operators have replaced the shops, services, and community spaces that people are crying out for," the prime minister added. I said we would improve Britain’s high streets, and that’s exactly what we are starting to do." Gillian Golden, chief executive of the Independent British Vape Trade Association, said rogue vape traders "have been a blight on the legitimate sector" and welcomed the measures.