Planning and Licensing Reforms proposed to support town centre revitalisation
On 26th July 2025, the Department for Business and Trade unveiled proposed reforms to help support the revitalisation of town centres by simplifying some of the rules around planning and licensing to make it easier for new cafes, bars and music venues to open in place of vacant retail premises. The measures proposed include a new ‘National Licencing Policy Framework’, the introduction of dedicated ‘hospitality zones’, and the roll-out of the High Street Rental Auction Scheme.
The Government is proposing to introduce a new ‘National Licensing Policy Framework’ which is intended to streamline and standardise the process of obtaining planning permission and licenses, to promote the opening of small businesses.
Part of this process includes the introduction of the ‘Agent of Change’ principle into National Planning and Licensing Policy. The ‘Agent of Change’ principle means that developers building near existing pubs, clubs, or music venues must soundproof their properties to protect existing venues and premises from potential future noise complaints.
Proposed ‘Hospitality Zones’ will be dedicated zones designed to benefit from fast-track decisions for proposals for alfresco dining, pubs, bars, street parties, and extended opening hours, in order to help increase vitality and footfall into town centres.
The proposals will sit alongside existing Government initiatives namely the High Street Rental Auction Scheme, which allows Councils to lease long‑vacant commercial units at auction to sponsors interested in hospitality use, helping bring empty premises back into use.
Next Steps
The proposals are not, with the exception of the High Street Rental Auction Scheme, yet formally part of Government Policy, and no detail has been provided as to how the proposed measures will sit alongside the existing policy framework at the national level. It is understood that a ‘Call for Evidence’ will be made in due course to seek views and evidence on the proposals. There is currently no timescale provided by the Government for next steps, however we will continue to monitor for this on behalf our clients in the retail, town centres and food & beverage sectors.