England’s poorest areas have 70% more vape shops and bookmakers than wealthier ones

Deprived areas were found to have double the number of retailers selling unhealthy food and significantly higher vacancy rates. Photograph: Carl Court/Getty Images

England’s poorest communities have 70% more vape shops, off-licences and bookmakers than wealthier ones and far fewer cafes and gyms, a study has found.

The Independent Commission on Neighbourhoods (Icon), chaired by the Labour peer Hilary Armstrong, said ministers risked overlooking vitally important neighbourhood shopping precincts by focusing on town centres. In deprived areas, local shops have roughly double the number of retailers selling unhealthy food and significantly higher vacancy rates, its research has found.