Ministers have folded Gambling Impact Assessments into a new “Neighbourhood Guarantee”, giving councils expanded powers to restrict gambling venues on struggling high streets. This week, the Housing department issued a statement on its policy – and it was an incendiary attack on the industry.
The Government has intensified its rhetoric against land-based premises as part of a sweeping package of high street reforms aimed at giving councils greater powers.
Under the new “Neighbourhood Guarantee”, Gambling Impact Assessments (GIAs) have formally been embedded into wider plans to tackle what ministers describe as the decline of town centres and the overconcentration of “vape shops, bookies and barbers”.
The move follows the introduction of GIAs through the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act, which received Royal Assent earlier this year. The new powers allow councils to assess the cumulative impact of gambling venues – giving prohibitionists yet another avenue to block legitimate businesses from socially-responsible operators.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed struck a combative tone towards parts of the sector in the accompanying announcement.
“The state of the local high street is one of the ways people measure whether the country is going backwards or forwards,” the Government said in its press release. “Where once there were shops and restaurants and people, now there are vape shops, bookies, and barbers shops with no customers.”
Notwithstanding the unprecedented depth of criticism currently aimed at the government, and its crucifying local council election results, Reed’s rhetoric was staggeringly hostile to one of the high street’s only investing sectors.
And let’s forget, that investment is not coming from the government. And it may not be coming from local companies if Reed continues with his anti-business commentary.
He postured: “People are sick to the back teeth of their towns and cities being dominated by these shops, against the will of local people. Councillors want to take action but simply don’t have the power.”
Somewhat ironically, the message at the ballot box in May was resoundingly one of the public saying it’s sick to the back teeth of the government.
Reed clearly didn’t hear that message as he continued: “So often these adult gaming centres are clustered in deprived areas. We have already brought forward Gambling Impact Assessments to allow councils to limit the number of gambling premises in their areas.And now we’re giving councils new powers to restrict certain shops on the high street, take over empty shops, and use the spaces to run services or activities or businesses.”
Alongside GIAs, which have been highly criticised by organisations such as the Institute of Licensing, councils will also receive powers to restrict certain businesses on high streets, take over empty units and repurpose them for community services, activities or local enterprises.
The measures sit within a broader devolution agenda that includes expanded powers for mayors, community-led service pilots and new intervention powers where local authorities fail to meet neighbourhood standards.
Reed fails to read the electoral room
Steve Reed said……. “People are sick to the back teeth of their towns and cities being dominated by these shops, against the will of local people. Councillors want to take action but simply don’t have the power……
Originally published on Coinslot on June 1, 2026. Republished with permission.