Alert issued over UK's seaside and northern 'ghost towns'

A shocking report has revealed that the quality of the UK high street is still in decline. The report from experts at Newcastle University, published by Health Equity North, claims that services such as banks, pharmacies, public toilets and supermarkets are being replaced by vape shops, bookmakers and takeaways. Experts cite the causes of this, including the Covid , austerity, increases and a change in spending habits among Brits.

The authors of the report said that this is creating "ghost towns" and, in turn, makes high streets in England more unsafe and isolating places. The researchers behind the report used Ordnance Survey data to track the distribution of 16 key amenities between 2014 and 2024. They looked at "health-promoting" amenities such as pharmacies and as well as "health-reducing" services like takeaways, bookmakers, shops and alcohol-only retailers, identifying "deprived" areas that are largely located in coastal spots and in the North of England.

"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," said Clare Bambra, Professor of Public Health at Newcastle University and Academic Co-director at Health Equity North. "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 outlets and bookmakers.

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

The report urges the Government to introduce stricter regulations on these "health reducing" amenities and to protect places and services that benefit communities as a whole.

Additionally, the report identified a decline in "third spaces" on UK high streets. These include places where people can go to which are not home or work such as cafes, and shopping centres.

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."

The authors of the study have called on the Government and local mayors to take a number of steps to improve UK high streets. This includes empowering local authorities to regulate unhealthy amenities such as vape shops and takeaways, incentivise the establishment of third spaces and investing in things like public seating and public toilets to make the high street a more appealing place to visit.

They have also been urged to involve local communities in decision making. This will help local authorities to resources for the redesign of high streets where they are most needed.