Number of vape retail outlets in England rises via nearly 1,200% in a decade

The choice of vape retail outlets on excessive streets throughout England has higher via nearly 1,200% over the last decade, whilst disadvantaged spaces have as much as 25 instances as many bookmakers and pawnbrokers as prosperous ones, in keeping with analysis.

In 2014, solely 33.8% of 317 native government in England had a vape store, emerging to 97.2% in 2024. Similarly, in 2014 not up to 1% of native government in England had 10 or extra vape retail outlets, emerging to 28% in 2024.

The learn about, carried out via researchers at Health Equity North, checked out Ordnance Survey information to trace how facilities had modified between 2014 and 2024. The facilities had been divided into the ones observed as “health promoting”, akin to pharmacies, libraries and supermarkets, and “health reducing” akin to vape retail outlets, bookmakers, takeaways and alcohol-only retailers.

They discovered a stark decline in more fit facilities, with bad possible choices taking their position. Takeaway retail outlets had been up via nearly 1 / 4 (24%) throughout England, whilst the choice of banks and development societies reduced via 40%, and supermarkets via 10%.

The file discovered there have been stark regional divides throughout England relating to high-street facilities, with two times as many vape retail outlets within the north of England. The choice of takeaways within the north of England rose via a 3rd (31%), when put next with a upward push of 18% within the south.

There had been 3 times as many vape retail outlets in disadvantaged spaces when put next with the least disadvantaged ones. Deprived spaces additionally had 25 instances extra pawnbrokers and greater than 3 times as many bookmakers.

Dr Eman Zied Abozied, analysis affiliate at Newcastle University Population Sciences Institute, stated the learn about confirmed that top streets had been turning into “less healthy and welcoming places to visit”.

“The disappearance of amenities such as supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and public toilets particularly affects groups such as women, children and the elderly,” she stated. “But what we’re seeing impacts all of us. The deterioration of our high streets makes our centres feel less safe, less inviting, and ultimately makes us feel more disconnected as communities.”

She added: “It is important that we act now to reverse this decline. If we involve local communities in making decisions about their high streets, we can make our high streets and towns more accessible and healthy for everyone.”

Prof Clare Bambra, an educational co-director at Health Equity North and professor of public well being at Newcastle University, stated: “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. 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 supermarkets, public toilets and other amenities and resources. The north has twice as many vape shops as the south, as well as more takeaway outlets and bookmakers.

“You should be able to walk down a high street, and feel the uniqueness, culture and identity of that community. Through innovative design, better public transport, and measures that promote people over cars, we can rethink these spaces so they become ‘go-to’s’ rather than ‘ghost towns’.”

A central authority spokesperson stated: “For years high streets have been starved of investment despite their potential to thrive, but we are taking decisive action to turn the tide through our Plan for Change.

“Councils and local leaders have powers to tackle persistently vacant properties in city, town and village centres by putting the leases up for auction to help restrict the types of businesses that fill those lots.

“We are driving regeneration and growth with £1.5billion through the Plan for Neighbourhoods to boost high streets, and we’re bringing empty shops back to life through our high street rental auctions.”

Local government with essentially the most vape retail outlets according to 10,000 other people in 2024 in England

City of London, London: 4.6

Blackburn with Darwen, north-west: 1.7

Preston, north-west: 1.6

Blackpool, north-west: 1.2

Bolton, north-west: 1.2

Lincoln, East Midlands: 1.2

Thanet, south-east: 1.2

Chesterfield, East Midlands: 1.1

Hyndburn, north-west: 1.1

Derbyshire Dales, East Midlands: 1