Local communities across the UK will gain enhanced powers to revitalise high streets, with new legislation enabling residents and councils to block certain businesses, repurpose vacant properties, and foster economic revival amidst declining town centres.
Local communities across the UK are set to receive substantial new powers aimed at revitalising neglected high streets, in a government initiative designed to restore pride and foster economic renewal. The ‘Pride in Place’ programme, expected to be unveiled soon by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will enable residents to block the opening of certain businesses perceived as harmful to community wellbeing, including betting shops, vape stores, and so-called fake barbers. This effort is supported by what is described by the government as “record investment” targeted at over 330 communities facing decline.
According to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the programme’s scope goes beyond controlling specific businesses. Councils will be granted tools to transform derelict buildings and empty shops through Community Right to Buy and compulsory purchase powers, allowing local leadership to directly intervene in rejuvenating blighted areas. A spokesperson for the housing department emphasised that the initiative is about putting power into people’s hands to choose renewal over division, addressing deep-rooted deprivation and regional inequalities.
The concept behind this legislative push emphasises community engagement and consultation, with funding allocated to projects that actively involve local groups, organisations, and social clubs in planning and execution. Housing Secretary Steve Reed noted the visible struggles on high streets — sealed pubs, boarded-up shops, and fading local centres — but stressed the resilience and determination of communities to regenerate their neighbourhoods.
The ‘Pride in Place’ programme is met with cautious optimism by various stakeholders. The Local Government Association welcomed the additional powers and funding, highlighting the potential for councils to tailor solutions specific to their communities’ unique challenges. The LGA underscored the importance of a fair and flexible allocation of resources to ensure local authorities can effectively drive economic renewal.
However, not all voices are fully supportive of the measures to regulate specific types of businesses such as betting shops. A spokesperson for the Betting and Gaming Council cautioned against viewing betting shops merely as problematic outlets, describing them instead as vital community hubs and economic contributors to high street life. Industry data shows that betting shops have actually declined in number, with 5,931 shops recorded in Britain as of March 2024, continuing a downward trend over recent years.
This initiative builds on broader government policies aimed at high street regeneration, notably part of the wider levelling up agenda. Complementing the ‘Pride in Place’ programme, new schemes such as High Street Rental Auctions will empower local leaders to lease vacant commercial properties to small businesses, further tackling problems like low footfall and anti-social behaviour. Alongside this, a £2 million support fund has been announced to help councils implement these new powers effectively.
In the broader context, recent reforms under previous administrations have sought to make public spaces more vibrant and welcoming—such as enabling permanent pavement cafes to flourish—thereby supporting the evolution of town centres into diverse, thriving places to live, work, and visit. The government sees these combined measures as a comprehensive approach to overcoming the decline of traditional retail and fostering resilient, sustainable local economies.
While it remains to be seen how communities will respond in practice, the ‘Pride in Place’ programme signifies a notable shift towards empowering local people and councils, moving decision-making from Westminster closer to the neighbourhood level. The success of this initiative will likely hinge on effective community engagement, careful implementation, and balancing regulation with the economic realities of sustaining diverse high streets.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative is based on a recent press release from the UK government, dated 24 September 2025, announcing the ‘Pride in Place’ programme. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-to-seize-control-over-high-streets-and-restore-pride?utm_source=openai)) This indicates high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The report includes direct quotes from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, which are consistent with the official press release. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-to-seize-control-over-high-streets-and-restore-pride?utm_source=openai)) No discrepancies or reused content were found.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Independent, a reputable UK news outlet, and references official government sources, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-to-seize-control-over-high-streets-and-restore-pride?utm_source=openai)) This enhances the reliability of the information.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims about the ‘Pride in Place’ programme align with the official government announcement, which details new powers for communities to revitalise high streets and block certain businesses. ([gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-to-seize-control-over-high-streets-and-restore-pride?utm_source=openai)) The language and tone are consistent with official government communications.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is based on a recent and original government press release, with consistent and accurate quotes from official sources. The information is corroborated by reputable outlets, and the claims are plausible and consistent with official communications. No significant credibility risks were identified.