A new report, involving Newcastle University experts, and published by Health Equity North, has found the quality of the High Street continues to decline across the country

Vital community amenities such as banks, pharmacies, public toilets and supermarkets are being replaced by vape shops, bookmakers and takeaway outlets, the report found.

This trend has accelerated over the last decade, due to austerity, the pandemic, the rising cost of living, and changing spending habits.

‘Greater sense of community’ needed

Clare Bambra, Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University and Academic Co-director at Health Equity North, said: “Over the last decade, our High Streets have been hit by a devastating succession of shocks - from the impact of austerity to the COVID-19 pandemic. They’ve also been hollowed out by changing spending habits, and the rising cost of living.

“This trend has disproportionately affected the most deprived places in our country. The northern High Street now has fewer places to go to buy essentials, as well as fewer public toilets and other amenities and resources. The North has twice as many vape shops as the South, as well as more takeaway outlets and bookmakers.

“We know the Government is keen to build a greater sense of community in our towns and cities. Which is why we’re inviting them to commit to helping create more vibrant and social High Streets.”

The authors warn that these “Ghost Towns” are making the English High Street a more isolating, unsafe and unhealthy place.

They urge the Government to step in to protect places which support the community in our town centres, and to help regulate more unhealthy amenities.

The research team set out to catalogue the changing face of High Streets, using ordnance survey data to track the distribution of 16 key amenities between 2014 and 2024.

These include “health promoting” amenities such as pharmacies and supermarkets, and “health reducing” amenities such as takeaways, bookmakers, vape shops and alcohol-only outlets.

The authors also observed the availability of “third spaces”, which are described as “places to go which are not home or work”. These include shopping centres, pubs, department stores, libraries and cafes.

The report shows that there has been a worrying decline in the quantity of “health promoting” amenities, retail and “third spaces” over the last 10 years, with more unhealthy alternatives taking their place.

Adam Todd, Professor of Pharmaceutical Public Health at Newcastle University, said: “For generations, the High Street has been the beating heart of our towns and cities. Places we can go to shop, eat, meet friends and feel part of our communities.

“Today, our High Streets feel like a shadow of themselves. Community amenities and services such as banks, pharmacies and department stores are vanishing - to be replaced by unhealthy fast-food takeaways, vape shops and bookmakers.

“Protecting these spaces for the next generation isn’t just about restoring them to some nostalgic vision of town centres past.

“We need to respond to changing habits and offer more pedestrianised and attractive spaces; places where people will want to gather, socialise and enjoy a sense of place.”

‘Steps to save High Streets’

The authors have called on central Government and the Metro Mayors to take steps to save High Streets by helping them adapt to new community needs, rather than return to what they were in the past.

They recommend:

• Empowering local authorities to further regulate more unhealthy amenities such as takeaways, off-licenses, vape shops and bookmakers - especially in deprived areas, coastal areas and areas such as the North
• Incentivising the establishment and maintenance of “third spaces” where people can gather - such as pubs, community centres and libraries
• Investing in turning High Streets into more people-friendly spaces, with seating areas, public toilets and safe pedestrianised spaces to increase footfall
• Involving local communities in decision-making and focusing resources for High Street redesign on the places that need most help.

Read the full report - ‘Ghost Towns: The Decline of the High Street and Health Inequalities’ - here: https://www.healthequitynorth.co.uk/app/uploads/GHOST-TOWNS-REPORT-EMBARGOED.pdf