Folk living in one town which has been named the UK’s fattest have slammed the council for “letting it get out of control”.
Two-thirds of adults living in Luton in Hertfordshire are overweight according to stats from NHS Digital and it comes as no surprise with the town packed with 36 chicken shops.
Luton has a whopping 19 shops dedicated to peri peri chicken alone and dozens of other takeaways.
Between 2022 and 2023 the town saw 4,880 hospital admissions for obesity for every 100,000 people, the highest number in Britain.
Locals are blaming the council as takeaway after takeaway opens in the town’s streets.
George Feron, 49, who lives in the town said he had become “depressed” at the site of the fast food joints.
He told MailOnline: “It blights the area and dominates it. They are everywhere.
“It brings the area down. Some are filthy and disgusting as well and it 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.”
According to the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities 66.2pc of people in Luton are obese and that number has risen from 65pc five years ago.
But despite the shocking stats chicken shop bosses say they have created a “golden square” of takeaways.
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.”
A spokesman for Luton Borough Council said it recognised “obesity is one of the greatest threats to health in the UK” and said it had put in a Healthier Food and Drink Advertising Policy in an attempt to promote healthy eating.
He said: “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.”
