Will new powers for councils renew England’s high streets and town centres? MPs begin high streets inquiry with look at vaping and gambling shops
On Tuesday morning, the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee begins the evidence hearings for its inquiry looking at the action needed to revitalise the nation’s high streets.
Meeting details
Purpose of the session
The cross-party group of MPs will examine a range of issues affecting the high street, including high street crime and enforcement of trading standards, and the perceived prevalence of what the government has called “unwanted shops”, such as vaping and betting shops.
MPs will also explore the impact of recent business rate changes and concerns around ‘phoenixing’ amid fears that some shops are being used as fronts for money laundering.
The committee will hear from a range of witnesses including representatives from the UK Vaping Industry Association and the Gambling Business Group.
During the committee’s inquiry, MPs are expected to examine differing approaches to high street regeneration, explore the effectiveness of local council powers, and scrutinise how the government is supporting the high street, including through its review of business rates and through the Pride in Place Programme. For more information, see the inquiry terms of reference.