New cash has been announced to rescue Britain’s crumbling high streets from further decay. The new support package will see £150million invested to spruce up shopfronts, open empty units and restore high streets in a bid boost community pride.
The money will go to areas that have been hardest hit and are “most in need of being brought back together”. It comes as councils are empowered to block the spread of new betting shops and vape stores.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said: “Our high streets are the beating heart of Britain – where communities come together and local businesses can grow. Town centres have suffered from high streets falling into decline, and that is why we’re taking action to turn the tide with this crucial investment and more to come.
“We have listened to what people are telling us and that’s why we’re giving them the power and control to breathe new life back into our high streets and restore the sense of pride communities feel, building on our transformational Pride in Place programme.”
But Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said: “Labour’s crippling taxes and business rates have wrecked our town centres. Reform will cut red tape, lower taxes and fix planning so local communities can flourish again.”
Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith said: “Under Labour, shoplifting is up 5% and robberies targeting business property have exploded by 66%. At the same time, Labour is hiking business rates, whacking up employers’ National Insurance, and burying pubs, shops, and restaurants under a mountain of red tape. High streets are becoming easier to loot and harder to run.
“This is how town centres die. Pubs are closing at record rates. Independent retailers are pulling the shutters down. Staff are being cut because costs are spiralling and crime is out of control.
“This announcement is the definition of counterfactual. Labour says it is backing high streets while its policies are emptying them, punishing the businesses that give them life. Until Labour deals with crime and costs, their plan is just another empty shopfront.”
