England’s poorest communities have 70% more vape shops, off-licences and bookmakers than wealthier areas. They also have far fewer cafes, gyms, and childcare facilities, a new study by the Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon) shows. Icon, chaired by Labour peer Hilary Armstrong, warns ministers risk missing the crucial local shopping parades by focusing mainly on town centres. The research highlights that local shops in deprived areas sell twice as much unhealthy food and face higher vacancy rates—8.1% compared to 5.9% in richer places. The report calls these small shopping strips the "shops down the road" and stresses their importance to communities. Labour leader Keir Starmer recently announced a £5bn "pride in place" programme to revive 284 UK areas. This fund will help communities buy and save local assets like libraries and cinemas. However, Icon questions if this will fix the fragmented approach of 13 to 16 government departments managing policy here. Ross Mudie, Icon’s head of research, said, "Ministers risk overlooking vital neighbourhood shopping parades as the government focuses on boosting town centre retail. Communities in these areas should be given extra support to take over and run empty units in their local shopping parades as new community facilities." Polls show the decline of high streets is a major public concern, especially in Labour’s strongholds in the Midlands and north-east. The thinktank IPPR North warns that the loss of these spaces forces young people online, sometimes into extreme political groups. Zoë Billingham of IPPR North added, "We need physical spaces to come together, to regain a lost sense of community." Similarly, Prof Will Jennings, University of Southampton, warns Labour faces losing voter trust if it does not act on high street decline. His research points to worsening local pride as shops close and crime rises. In summary, England’s poorest neighbourhoods suffer from too many unhealthy retailers and empty shops but lack valuable community spaces. This challenges government and political parties to rethink their approach beyond crowded town centres.