Ex-M&S boss slams Burnham’s High Street crackdown as ‘hot air’ and says councils need to tackle bigger problems

ANDY Burnham’s plan to revive the High Street by targeting vape and betting stores has been branded “a lot of b*******” by a Tory Peer. Ex-Marks & Spencer boss Lord Stuart Rose hit out at the “hot air” plans saying the cost of employing people and business rates are hitting shopping areas from thriving. Andy Burnham, above, has said new vape shops and adult gaming centres that offer 24-hour gambling machines will need planning permission – saying high streets have been ‘hollowed out’ Credit: AFP Tory peer and form M&S boss Stuart Rose hit out at the ‘hot air’ plans, saying the cost of employing people and business rates are stopping shopping areas from thriving Credit: EPA The PM has vowed to give local communities new powers after saying high streets have been allowed to be “hollowed out”. But the Tory Peer said: “Forgive my French but it’s a lot of bollocks about nothing. Getting rid of vape shops won’t save the high street. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! “Can’t believe such a long press release says so little. If the vape shops are illegal they should be shut down full stop! Ditto betting shops, although neither activity is illegal.” He told BBC Newsnight: “By all means give local councils teeth but none of this will revive high streets unless rates are reformed and cost to employ reduced. Just a lot of hot air.” New vape shops will require planning permission which could stop them from being opened near schools. Their definition will also be tightened preventing them from claiming to be a general convenience store. Adult gaming centres that offer 24-hour gambling machines will need planning permission under plans coming in at the start of next year. Town halls and communities will also be given a stronger voice over whether new betting shops will open in their area. Mr Burnham said there has been real concern that high streets “have just been in decline for a long time”. Most read in Money Speaking on a trip to Derbyshire, he added: “And I want to give local communities the power to turn things around. “And that means clamping down on some of the businesses that cause harm in communities and then supporting those that bring life back to our high street.” He also wants the police in England and Wales to “take a strong line against shoplifting” to help struggling high street retailers. He told LBC Radio: “I don’t consider shoplifting to be a small thing. “I think it can make staff and customers feel very fearful – it can drag down the perception of safety in a particular place if it’s left unchecked.” Shoplifting has fallen by 4% over the past year, with 507,086 offences recorded by forces in England and Wales in 2025/26, down from a record 530,324 the previous year. Comment now