The Prime Minister has pledged to increase the maximum duration of closure orders from six months to twelve months, as part of a plan to revitalise UK high streets
Currently, Closure Orders provide certain enforcement agencies the ability to close “dodgy shops” for up to three months, and can be extended to a maximum of six months. The extension of this power to up to twelve months in total will assist enforcement in closing dodgy shops, which safeguards communities and supports the level playing field for legitimate businesses
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) has welcomed the Prime Minister’s proposal. A recent CTSI member survey showed almost universal support for extending the duration of Closure Orders, which addresses one of the challenges that limits their impact.
The CTSI warned that while the extension of Closure Order durations is a positive step forward, other challenges remain with their use. For example, County Councils that operate in a two-tier authority area cannot issue Closure Orders, and nor are the powers available in Scotland. In a recent CTSI members survey, just 11% of Scottish Trading Standards professionals felt that Scottish Local Authority Trading Standards services have sufficient powers to close a premises that persistently breaks the law.
John Herriman, chief executive at the CTSI, praised the decision: “CTSI welcomes the Prime Minister’s announcement on the planned extension to the maximum duration of closure orders, which will help to close down dodgy shops for longer.
“Closure orders are an important enforcement tool available to Local Authority Trading Standards teams. They can provide a more immediate safeguard for communities, and more immediate disruption to criminal activity. Today’s announcement will assist enforcement agencies in being more able to robustly disrupt the most persistent offenders.”
Herriman outlined the extent of the issue. “The presence of dodgy shops on our high streets has a significant negative impact on local communities and legitimate businesses. Local Authority Trading Standards play a vital role in maintaining the level-playing field for businesses and creating safe, prosperous communities, and today’s announcement is a positive step to assist in efforts to allow our high streets to thrive.
“We are keen to work with UK Governments to unlock the full potential of strengthened closure orders by addressing some anomalies including permitting closure orders to be accessed in Scotland, and addressing the significant challenge that remains for County Councils operating which are unable to make use of this important tool. These further changes would roll-out coverage to all Local Authorities across Britain and ensure that all local communities and High Streets can benefit from the important role Closure Orders can play in closing dodgy shops and help to rejuvenate our High Streets.”
Christopher Bell, of the Society of Chief Officers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS), added: “Scottish Local Authority Trading Standards services are currently unable to issue Closure Orders to clamp down on persistently offending shops. We are pleased that Scottish Government are now engaging with SCOTSS and Police Scotland on this issue to explore similar solutions to empower Scottish Trading Standards Officers in dealing with criminality.”
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) recently called for the extension of Closure Orders from six months to 12. When calling for the extension, ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Rogue traders are dragging down high streets and local communities across the country, so we need to ensure that there are effective penalties that stop them from operating. Extending closure orders to 12 months would be an important step forward in the battle against the illicit trade, but it must be accompanied by other changes to make it easier and more consistent to report illicit activity when it happens, and for Trading Standards to have the resources to enforce locally.”
Cllr Eamonn O’Brien, chair of the Local Government Association, also welcomed the announcement.
“Planning is about shaping communities, providing the right kind of economic activity and public services for the people that use them, and ensuring the right decisions are made on issues that matter to residents.
“It is positive that councils and communities will get a greater say on what shops and services are found on their high streets through these changes to the Use Class Order which will require vape shops to acquire planning permission.
“The LGA has consistently raised that some permitted development rights, which allow uses to change without planning permission, can hollow out high streets and reduce community and democratic oversight of planning decisions.
“Extra powers will help councils in revitalising high streets and shaping their communities, particularly in regulating betting and vaping shops, while also breathing new life into empty premises.”
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