- Two out of three adults in Luton are classed as overweight or obese
- The town has 19 peri peri chicken shops alone and dozens of others
- Fed up locals have called on Luton Council to ban any more opening
Residents living in Britain’s most obese area say they have been ‘invaded’ by chicken shops – and are urging council bosses to ban any others from opening.
The Bedfordshire town of Luton has 19 peri peri chicken shops alone and dozens of others.
And shocking stats show the town has the worst obesity rates in the country.
It has had a whopping 4,880 hospital admissions for obesity per 100,000 people in 2022/23 – the highest out of anywhere in Britain.
Another shocking stat shows two-thirds of adults in Luton are classed as overweight or obese.
One furious local told MailOnline: ‘The town is full of obese people. It’s the council’s fault.
‘They have let it get out of control. No others should be opening anytime soon.’
The figures, from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, show 66.2 per cent of those in Luton were overweight or obese – up from 65 per cent five years ago.
Twenty seven per cent were obese alone.
Locals blame it on a huge number of chicken shops and other fast food outlets, which dominate the town centre.
But owners and workers have defended themselves, saying they are providing a service and have described Luton as the ‘golden square’ of chicken shops.
When MailOnline visited this week, many were packed with customers as early as noon – with queues and staff rushed off their feet with business.
The streets were also packed with food delivery motorcycles at that time as well.
Fitness fan George Feron, 49, said the town was ‘dominated’ by fast food outlets and overweight people.
He said: ‘It blights the area and dominates it. They are everywhere.
‘It brings the area down. Some are filthy and disgusting as well and just makes it look bad.
‘It should not be allowed. It’s not right. It’s a joke. But I run a business in the town and it’s not funny.
‘I want this area to be vibrant and varied. Not full of chicken shops and betting shops which it currently is.
‘It’s depressing. They are always very busy.
‘The town is full of obese people. It’s the council’s fault.
‘They have let it get out of control. No others should be opening anytime soon.’
Mr Feron, who runs a convenience store, added: ‘It’s terrible.
‘A lot of people are fat and lazy here. And that attitude is enabled by the amount of chicken shops and fast food places.
‘It’s not rocket science to say that is going to be a big factor.’
Edward Parker, 55, has lived in Luton for 20 years and said the trend of fast food outlets was ‘appalling’.
The plumber said: ‘We’re a laughing stock.
‘It’s an invasion. Fast food places are followed by betting shops, slot machines and just rubbish places. There’s not many gyms around here.
‘It would be commercial suicide to open one. Look at all the fat people, it’s appalling.
‘This is a ticking time bomb. There’s no hope here anymore. The fact there’s so much easy access to unhealthy food and obesity rates so high is clearly linked.
‘People say they would be empty if it was not fast food places. Which is a point but surely give something else a go is what I would say.’
Mr Parker said he had raised the issue with local councillors. He added: ‘It’s not exactly a state secret, they are everywhere.
‘Other than a brothel, which I imagine would be against the law, surely anything is better than just endless fast food places?
‘They drive me mad.’
Husband and wife John and Margaret Miskin returned to shop in Luton for the first time in several years.
Margaret, 72, said: ‘It’s been a few years since we have been here. It’s changed a lot and not for the better.
‘They are everywhere aren’t they. I cannot believe how things have changed so much.’
John, 75, said: ‘It’s quite shocking what it is like now. It used to be very nice.’
James Nolan, 65, who lives in the city centre said: ‘Something needs to be done urgently about it.
‘I don’t think those in power care.’
Builder Ryan Hick, 57, said he wanted something to be done.
The city centre resident said: ‘Something has got to give.
‘There is a health crisis in Luton. It’s full of obese and over weight people. I am fully aware I need to lose some weight myself, so I include myself in that.
‘But what do those in power do? Just open chicken shop after chicken shop and fast food places everywhere.
‘It’s a downward spiral. I imagine they make a fortune. Good luck to them. It is supply and demand.
‘But surely councillors in charge need to realise it’s just insane?’
Local Sami Khan, 84, said: ‘I know there’s these sort of shops all over the country, but Luton feels like it has about half a country’s worth.
‘When will something be done? There should be some sort of amnesty. Stop them now.’
Sasithuran Susieulelenth, 40, who works at Sam’s Chicken in the town centre, said: ‘We’re always packed to the rafters.
‘We’re flat out busy with customers. We love it. It is amazing. It is great for business.
‘It’s not our fault. What are we supposed to do? People have free choice on what they eat and we provide that.’
One worker at a Peri Peri Chicken said: ‘We all think it’s quite funny. A lot of us are friends.
‘Luton is the golden square of chicken shops. We provide a good service and give people what they want.’
Luton Borough Council spokesperson said: “As a Council, we recognise that obesity is one of the greatest threats to health in the UK.
“The council currently has a Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy in place that is applied across the council’s estate.
“Luton was the first council in the East of England, and the 8th council nationally to introduce a Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy (HFDAP).
“Through its partner Total Wellbeing the council offers free healthy lifestyle programmes for adults, children and families, helping people to become more active, eat more healthily and improve their general health and wellbeing as well as specific weight management services.
“Active Luton provides a wide range of sports, swimming and leisure facilities throughout the town aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyles.
“It provides special discounts to those from the more deprived areas of the town, who are more susceptible to higher levels of obesity.”
Robert Johnson is a UK-based business writer specializing in finance and entrepreneurship. With an eye for market trends and a keen interest in the corporate world, he offers readers valuable insights into business developments.
