HIGH streets have always been and always should be the lifeblood of our communities, yet their current identity crisis offers a sobering reminder of two decades of difficulty businesses have faced: a shifting model of retail from physical stores to online ones, a business rates model not fit for purpose, 14 years of Conservative-managed economic stagnation, the lingering scars from the pandemic, and fails to recognise these unique centres of community for what they are. They are a public good. The variety of familiar shops and services – keystones, once relied upon by communities – have been replaced with vacant shopfronts and rogue businesses. This does not reflect the vibrant character of our towns.

Our Labour Government is now putting power back in the hands of local communities to have a real say over on the future of their high streets. In his first month as Prime Minister, Andy Burnham has announced a series of important reforms that will give local authorities, as well as residents of St Austell and Newquay themselves, more control and a greater say over the future of our high streets.

In the new year, new planning rules will ensure vape shops and adult gaming centres can no longer simply appear and operate on our high streets without scrutiny. Vape shops will now require planning permission, giving the council greater control over where, and if, they can open, preventing them popping up near schools. By creating a standalone planning category for these businesses, the council and local residents will finally have a meaningful say over whether they want these types of shops, whether they’re right for the area, and whether they will contribute positively to the future of our town centres.

In addition, through a removal of the “aim to permit” rule in the Gambling Act 2005 in secondary legislation, Cornwall Council will also have stronger powers to stop gambling shops clustering together, ending the scourge of streets hosting nothing but betting shops, which offer little to no long-term value for our community.

The maximum length of Closure Orders will also double from six to twelve months, meaning police and the council will have more time to investigate premises linked to organised crime, pursue prosecutions, and prevent rogue businesses - like illegal vape shops and dodgy barber shops – from reopening before investigations are complete. I would strongly encourage Cornwall Council to press on ahead with the power, given to them under the Starmer administration to undertake high street rental auctions, and the community more widely to exercise its new right to buy.

These latest reforms must be considered as part of a broader revitalisation of our towns: Both in terms of my local Pledge for our Towns and a national conversation about their purpose. The modern high street should not be treated as a strictly retail-first sector, but should encompass all aspects of the community. As I have long said, high streets are becoming "civic" spaces and, in effect, a public good, and should be rightly treated and valued as such.