Key Moments:
- The Pride in Place initiative aims to give residents the ability to block new betting shops, vape stores, and fake barbers.
- Over 330 communities are expected to benefit from record government investment as part of the program.
- Britain reported 5,931 betting shops as of March 2024, reflecting a decline from previous years.
Empowering Local Communities
The government has outlined plans to grant residents new authority to influence the development of their high streets. Through the introduction of the Pride in Place program, local communities will be able to prevent the establishment of betting shops, vape stores, and imitation barber shops in their neighborhoods.
The government will give councils more power to repurpose vacant buildings and boarded-up shops through Community Right to Buy and compulsory purchase tools. The intention is to help revitalize underused spaces and bring renewed vibrancy to high streets.
Significant Investment and Program Launch
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will announce the initiative, supported by what the government calls a “record investment” targeting over 330 communities. The backing for projects will favor those that have involved local organizations, social clubs, and community groups in their planning and consultation processes.
Addressing Inequality and Deprivation
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that this program is designed to directly confront deeply rooted deprivation and regional disparities. Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, remarked, “When people step out of their front doors, they know their communities are struggling. They see shuttered pubs, fading high streets and their local areas in decline.
“Yes, communities have been stretched, but they haven’t given up. They’re working hard to make things better, and we’re backing them.
“The government is putting power into their hands so local people decide how best to restore pride in their neighbourhoods, not us in Westminster.
“That’s what real patriotism looks like: building up our communities and choosing renewal over division.”
Industry Response and Betting Shop Figures
The government has identified gambling shops among the businesses it intends to restrict under its efforts to enhance high street environments. Addressing this, a spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) commented, “are far more than just places to have a flutter: they are community hubs, economic drivers, and a vital part of the high street’s future”.
The Gambling Commission reports that Britain had 5,931 betting shops in March 2024. This figure marks a decline from earlier years.
| Date | Number of Betting Shops in Britain |
|---|---|
| March 2024 | 5,931 |
- Author
Daniel Williams
