Hidden in Plain Sight : A scoping review of ‘dark kitchens’ and the potential implications for the English planning system

Townshend, Tim and Brown, Heather and Lake, Amelia A and Moore, Helen and Bradford, Callum and Boyland, Emma (2025) Hidden in Plain Sight : A scoping review of ‘dark kitchens’ and the potential implications for the English planning system. The Town Planning Review. ISSN 0041-0020 (In Press)

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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 paper 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.