Incoming Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing urgent calls to revive Britain's high streets by curbing the proliferation of vape shops, pawnbrokers, and fried chicken outlets, according to a new survey by the Association of Convenience Stores. The poll shows shoppers overwhelmingly prefer banks, specialist food shops, and pharmacies over the current mix of outlets that many feel have degraded town centres.
Labour's High Streets Strategy Yet to Materialise
Ministers announced in January that a “High Streets Strategy” would be published to reduce the number of vape shops, support pubs, and “restore pride in our communities.” However, the strategy has not yet been released, and MPs are now pressing Burnham to prioritise the issue. The Association of Convenience Stores has written to the new leader urging better use of police and local authority powers to close shops that operate as fronts for criminal enterprises.
Crime and Money Laundering on High Streets
The National Crime Agency has warned that £1 billion in criminal cash is laundered through high street businesses each year, with some outlets linked to fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working, and drug supply. Ed Woodall, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, said: “Successive Governments have sought to find ways to support high streets, but in many parts of the country high streets and town centres have been stuck in a cycle of managed decline. Reducing the number of empty shops, ensuring there is a diverse mix of retailers on high streets, and stopping the onslaught of dodgy shops are all effective ways that the Government can direct funding locally and reverse this trend.”
Business Rates Reform Demanded
The Association also calls for changes to business rates to make it cheaper for legitimate businesses to take over empty shops. The British Retail Consortium echoes this, urging Burnham to back reforms to employment costs, business rates, energy bills, and regulation. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said: “The high street strategy is long overdue. To breathe new life into our high streets requires fundamental reform of the broken business rates system. Retail accounts for 5% of the economy but pays over 20% of the total business rates bill, holding back investment, jobs, and growth. The priority must be reducing the overall burden on retail and hospitality businesses to support the investment and jobs needed to revitalise our high streets and keep prices down for customers.”
Parliamentary Inquiry Launched
The House of Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has launched an inquiry into the proliferation of betting shops, vape shops, and fake barbers on high streets. MPs will consider giving councils more powers, such as compulsory purchase orders to seize vacant premises, and will question ministers about the delayed strategy.
