Local communities will be empowered to seize boarded up shops in one part of Merseyside, according to its local MP, while plans for unwanted betting shops and vape shops can be blocked and dismissed.
Patrick Hurley MP on the situation in Southport:
Speaking on a video shared to his social media, MP Patrick Hurley said:
“I made it a pledge when I first got elected as the MP for Southport to do something about the state of the town centre.
“Everybody in Southport knows full well that the town centre, Lord Street, Chapel Street, Neville Street, where we’re on today, has seen better days.
“So I’m really pleased to see the government making an announcement today, cracking down on the vape shops, on the proliferation of betting shops, on these fake barbers that people see all around our towns and our cities.
“They’re making sure that communities can come back and take control of their local high streets and their local town centres, and it’s a really important pledge that I’ve made.”
The video was accompanied by an introductory post which stated:
“Communities across the country – including Southport – will soon have unprecedented new powers to take back control of their high streets.
“Through Labour’s new Pride in Place programme, backed by historic funding in over 330 towns, local people will be able to seize boarded-up shops in Southport, save derelict pubs, libraries and community spaces, block unwanted gambling and vape shops, revitalise Lord Street.
“This marks the largest transfer of power from Whitehall to communities in history – part of Labour’s Plan for Change.”
Labour’s Plan For Change
Mr Hurley was referring to a government project which aims to support over 330 communities in total, tackling ‘deep-rooted deprivation and regional inequality’ through a range of initiatives, including: community ‘Right to Buy’, handing local people the power to buy beloved assets, helping them turn around derelict pubs, create new parks and regenerate spaces in the heart of their communities.
Compulsory Purchase powers will also be utilised, allowing communities in England to acquire assets like boarded up shops and derelict abandoned businesses. For larger sites, such as disused department stores or abandoned office blocks, it could even see new health centres opening up, or local housing.
Power to block unwanted shops will be handed over to local authorities such as Sefton Council, which will be able to say no to “new betting shops, vapes stores and fake barbers”.
Local communities need building up again
Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed said:
“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.”
By Local democracy reporter Elliot Jessett.
