Section 191 — Designated high streets and town centres

(1) A local authority may designate a street in its area as a high street for the purposes of this Part if it considers that the street is important to the local economy because of a concentration of high-street uses of premises on the street.

(2) A local authority may designate an area within its area as a town centre for the purposes of this Part if—

(a) the built environment of the area is characterised principally by a network of streets, and

(b) the authority considers that the area is important to the local economy because of a concentration of high-street uses of premises in the area.

(3) A street or area is not to be designated, however, if the authority considers that its importance derives principally from goods or services purchased in the course of business.

(4) A designation under this section may be varied or withdrawn at any time.

(5) A local authority must maintain and make available to the public a list describing, and a map showing, any designations under this section that are in force in its area.

(6) A designation under this section is a local land charge.

(7) In this Part— “designated high street” means a street for the time being designated under subsection (1); “designated town centre” means an area for the time being designated under subsection (2).