New guidance will help
make sure takeaway food businesses play their part in cleaning up
high streets, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and
Communities has set out today (7 August 2022).
Updated guidance published today will clarify the powers councils
in England have to set stricter litter rules for new hot food
takeaways when considering planning applications, including
making sure that more bins are installed to reduce rubbish in the
surrounding area.
The move will help create cleaner town centres, with figures
showing that fast food items are the fourth most common type of
litter found on UK high streets.
Levelling Up Secretary said:
We are empowering councils to make sure new takeaway food
businesses are doing their bit to stop rubbish littering our high
streets.
It is just one of the many ways we are improving the environment
and making sure we can all take pride in the local communities we
call home.
The guidance will give councils clear and consistent advice on
what rules they can enforce when new takeaways open, such as
ensuring they install more bins and anti-litter signs around
shops or have staff members pick up litter regularly. Failing to
adhere to these rules could result in financial penalties.
A number of councils are already putting these requests into
place, such as Gateshead Council which has ordered new takeaways
to provide litter bins for customers.
Today’s announcement will ensure this practice becomes the norm
across the country, so that new takeaway outlets do not increase
the impact of litter on local communities.
This is part of wider measures set out in the Build Back Better
High Streets Strategy to improve the public realm and create
safer and cleaner spaces.
It follows new funding
announced by the Environment Secretary yesterday to
remove chewing gum stains from our high streets, with more than
40 councils across the UK awarded grants of up to £70,000.
