The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the publication of a new government report that sets out six pillars of successful high streets and a commitment to root out organised crime.
The Hope on the High Street report, published this week by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government, cites figures from ACS’ 2026 Community Barometer on the factors that affect people’s perception of their local high street. The report notes that “too many empty units is the most commonly cited factor making high streets worse (63%), while cleanliness and improved range and quality of shops are among the main things people say make them better.”
Six pillars of successful high streets
The report identifies six pillars of successful high streets: active leadership and management – reasons to have confidence; strong businesses, anchors and amenities – reasons to visit; vibrant culture, leisure, hospitality and entertainment – reasons to get together; easy access and connectivity – reasons to explore; safe, clean and welcoming – reasons to return; and a place to call home – reasons to move in.
On organised crime, the report states that “legitimate businesses are the engine of successful high streets, creating jobs, services and places people want to spend time. But in some places the legitimate economy is increasingly being undermined by organised crime. Criminally controlled businesses are used to launder illicit funds, evade tax, exploit workers and sell illegal goods.”
Government action against organised crime
The government’s action to tackle organised crime includes the Insolvency Service, Companies House and HMRC working in partnership to identify and act against directors who use successive companies to avoid debts and sanctions. It also includes making it harder for criminal enterprises to set up on the high street, exploring approaches taken by other countries and the role of landlords.
New training to help front-line staff in Trading Standards tackle organised crime and protect legitimate business is now being rolled out, with a view to extending this to other agencies going forward.
Alongside the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the government is investing up to £30 million of new funding for enforcement agencies annually until 2028/29, including Trading Standards, Border Force and HMRC, to tackle the illicit and underage sale of tobacco and vapes. It is also prioritising activity across government to take a targeted and coordinated approach to intervening with prolific offenders, supporting policing and local partners to reduce persistent offending and improve safety on high streets and in communities.
Industry response
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “We can only revitalise our high streets if they are safe places for people to shop, work and invest. It is absolutely right that the Government has put safety at the heart of its new high streets strategy.”
He added: “Cracking down on rogue traders and tackling the shop theft that blights communities and undermines legitimate businesses are essential steps towards restoring confidence in our high streets and helping them thrive.”
Figures from the ACS Crime Report 2026 show that 85% of independent retailers have seen an increase in illicit activity in their area over the last year. The full Hope on the High Street report is available online.
