U.K., Oct. 15 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:

The Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee has published an initial selection of written evidence submissions for its inquiry looking at the action needed to revitalise the nation’s high streets .

The written evidence includes submissions from McDonald’s, Boots, Primark, Haypp Group, Gambling Business Group, Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), Association of Convenience Stores, Post Office Ltd, Healthy Urban Places research consortium, and the Royal Town Planning Institute.

A full list of the twenty written-evidence submissions is included below.

Chair comment

Commenting on the written evidence, Ms Abena Oppong-Asare MP, Chair of the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee said:

“I’m grateful to all those who have submitted written evidence to our inquiry. The written submissions have tackled a range of issues facing our high streets today. From addressing concerns around so-called ‘unwanted’ businesses, such as vape and betting shops, to the future of the high street given the shift to online retail. Submissions also explored the effect of business rates on high-street stores and the impact of high street crime and alleged tax-evasion.

“High streets are the beating heart of local communities, but many are struggling in the face of economic and social change. Our inquiry will be focussing on the practical steps needed to renew and revitalise town centres, looking at the powers which councils and the government need to help high streets thrive once again across England.”

On Tuesday morning, the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee began the evidence hearings for this inquiry, with a look at high street crime and enforcement of trading standards, and the perceived prevalence of what the government has called “unwanted shops”, such as vaping and betting shops. MPs also explored the impact of recent business rate changes and concerns around ‘phoenixing’ amid fears that some shops are being used as fronts for money laundering. See witness list and transcript .

Written evidence submissions

McDonald’s UK & Ireland

Bennett School of Public Policy, University of Cambridge

Landscape Institute

Association of Convenience Stores

Royal Town Planning Institute

Haypp Group

Healthy Urban Places research consortium

Dr James Close

Gambling Business Group

Institute of Licensing

Public First

Boots

Post Office Ltd

The Centre for Social Justice

Novomatic UK

Power to Change

Local Government Association

Primark

MHCLG

Action on Smoking and Health (ASH)

The remaining written evidence submissions will be published later next week.

Further information

Inquiry: Revitalising high streets

About Parliament: Select committees

Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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