High streets up and down the land have become the backdrop for the latest stand-off between government and business. As usual, the politicians have decided they know what's best for us, and want to exert even more control over our freedom of choice on how to spend our money. So what is this modern scourge creeping across the country? Unlikley as it may seem, it is the humble bookies.
Exeter was one of 63 local authorities demanding the Government changes planning law to curb the spread of betting shops. Whatever happens, it will probably be too late to stop another one opening in Exeter's High Street in what was a branch of Santander bank.
The perceived problem is electronic gaming machines, described by some as the "crack cocaine" of gambling because they are so addictive. There is also a view that betting shops can have an adverse effect on shops nearby.
The Government announced it is to give local councils more power to control where betting shops can open up. The BBC reported it has set out plans to improve protections for players on fixed-odds betting terminals, including making those who want to bet more than £50 in one play pay over the counter, meaning they have to interact with staff.
Planning minister Nick Boles said the measure would help to promote "healthy and vibrant" town centres.
I'm not suggesting that for some people gambling addiction is not a serious problem which can wreck lives. But surely it is better for people to gamble on premises where there are trained staff who can monitor use of machines, rather like a licensee of a pub keeps an eye on their customers. A huge amount of gambling takes place online, in the privacy of people's home, where there is little to stop a potential gambling addict from going too far. The high streets are under pressure from online shopping. Retailers and services which bring people into town centres should be welcomed, rather than turned away.
At the end of last year, there were just over 9,000 betting shops in Britain, employing 54,000. William Hill recently announced plans to close 109 betting shops, blaming the Chancellor's duty increase on the FOBTs.
Some traditional retailers would say a bigger threat to their viability comes from charity shops, staffed with volunteers, enjoying rate relief and selling products they are given for free.
The nanny state needs to take a step back. The gambling industry is already tightly regulated, with betting shops needing an operating licence from the Gambling Commission. Now new shops will need permission for a change of use.
But why stop there? With the renewed focus on healthy eating and demonisation of sugar, surely it's time bakers and fast food outlets should see the law tightened? We are told obesity is an epidemic which will cost us billions in healthcare. So I propose a new planning law making sure Greggs and Warrens must be at least 100 yards apart, so shoppers get some exercise before buying a pasty to go with that cream cake.
There should also be a limit of two Greggs' yum-yums per person per day, and maybe a ban on more than three visits to Subway a week. Customers may have to seek special permission from a member of staff for a second Big Mac. The Government was persuaded into a U-turn on VAT on takeaway baked goods, the so-called pasty tax, after an outcry from customers. But I suspect it is gambling on more luck in satisfying the demands from the anti-betting brigade who are lined up against those who like a flutter.
