The Government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at giving local communities more control over the regeneration of their struggling high streets and neighbourhoods.
Under the ‘Pride in Place’ scheme, councils will have greater powers to regulate unwanted businesses, including gambling outlets, vape shops, and barbers linked to organised crime.
Communities will also be able to acquire and refurbish vacant shops and pubs and create new public spaces such as parks.
As part of the programme, new neighbourhood boards will be established in 330 areas to guide the use of a reported £3.4bn in funding for local regeneration projects.
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, said: ‘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.’
Cllr Arooj Shah, chair of the Local Government Association’s Neighbourhoods Committee, welcomed the announcement, adding: ‘It is essential these funds are allocated in a fair, flexible manner based on what local places need, with necessary support from Government to trust them to get on with the job.’
