Red tape slashed to revamp high streets with new cafes and bars

July 28, 2025

Communities and town centres across the UK are set to benefit from a wave of new cafes, bars, music venues and outdoor dining options, as the Government slashes red tape to breathe new life into the high street.

Government to overhaul planning and licensing rules to make it quicker and easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of disused shops.

New ‘hospitality zones’ will fast-track permissions for alfresco dining, pubs, bars and street parties.

Reforms will also protect long-standing venues from noise complaints by new developments.

Part of the Small Business Plan, which will show how the Plan for Change will rejuvenate smaller businesses and put more money in people’s pockets.

Michael Sears, NAEA Propertymark Commercial Advisory Panel Board member, said:

“The decline of countless high streets has been widely reported on for many years and yet businesses such as cafes and pubs can help generate much needed employment and contribute positively to creating more vibrant and pleasant communities.

“Propertymark has seen a recent renewed confidence from many investors regarding the provision of high quality retail and office space, so it is welcome to see the UK Government’s announcement to overhaul planning and licencing rules to help create a more streamlined process that aims to rejuvenate town and city centres for the future.

“It is positive to see proposals that will aim to make it simpler for new businesses to open in place of disused shops, alongside new ‘hospitality zones’ that will fast-track permissions for potential new pubs. However, it is also vital that any overhauled plans are sympathetic to local residents and are closely examined on an individual basis.”

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