A new study has found that England's poorest neighborhoods have 70% more vape shops, betting parlors, liquor stores, and takeout restaurants than wealthier areas. Research from the Independent Commission on Neighborhoods also reveals that these struggling communities have roughly half as many childcare centers. Additionally, they have 25% less "social infrastructure," which refers to community hubs like gyms, cafes, and pubs.

The report highlights that storefronts are more likely to sit empty in these low-income shopping districts. It warns that the government's current focus on revitalizing major town centers risks ignoring these smaller, vital local shopping areas. According to recent polls, the decline of the local high street is now a top public concern, second only to the rising cost of living.