The London borough of Camden has more fast food outlets per resident than any other local authority area in England, according to new analysis.
Data from the Department for Health and Social Care revealed that in 2024, there were 116 fast food outlets per 100,000 people in England – an increase from 98 in 2017.
There were twice as many fast food shops in the most deprived decile of lower tier local authorities as in the least deprived decile: 147 per 100,000 population compared with 73.
Researchers defined fast food as ‘energy dense and available quickly, usually via a counter service, and for consumption on or off the premises’.
They included shops selling burgers, pizza, kebabs, chicken, Indian and Chinese takeaway, and fish and chips.
Three of the five council areas with the most fast food outlets per 100,000 people were in London: Camden, Westminster and Southwark. In Camden, there were 417 fast food outlets per 100,000 residents.
Blackpool and Manchester also ranked in the top five.
Wokingham in Berkshire has the fewest fast food outlets per population, with just 39 per 100,000.
