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Hidden in plain sight: a scoping review of ‘dark kitchens’ and the potential implications for the English planning system

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Tim Townshend, Dr Amelia Lake

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

Over the past decade, the food environment has changed dramatically. One significant change has been the evolution of online delivery, which has increasingly become associated with so-called ‘dark kitchens’ – catering operations that only offer food for home delivery. These come in many different guises. This article reviews existing evidence and the potential impacts for local communities and planning. Like much of the gig economy, the jobs created are low-skilled and precarious, and their operations may generate nuisance and add to the decline of the high street. However, currently impacts are under-researched.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Townshend T, Boyland E, Bradford C, Brown H, Moore H, Lake A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Town Planning Review

Year: 2025

Volume: 96

Issue: 6

Pages: 627-646

Print publication date: 01/11/2025

Online publication date: 26/05/2025

Acceptance date: 19/02/2025

Date deposited: 19/02/2025

ISSN (print): 0041-0020

ISSN (electronic): 1478-341X

Publisher: Liverpool University Press

URL: https://doi.org/10.3828/tpr.2025.11

DOI: 10.3828/tpr.2025.11

ePrints DOI: 10.57711/f1qs-kg49

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