We are all concerned about the decline of our High Streets and town centres. Where once there were popular independent traders, we now see boarded-up shop fronts.'For Sale' and 'To Let' signs appear at every turn, adding to the general sense of decay and despondency.Sometimes, the only businesses that seem to be proliferating are vape shops, betting shops, barber outlets and mini-marts – and there have been countless stories linking some of them to money-laundering, counterfeit goods and illegal drugs.So, it comes as no surprise to me that in his determination to 'reconnect' with the British public, Andy Burnham has pledged to revitalise our High Streets.Wallowing in a Hovis-ad nostalgia, he talks of bringing back the smell of the bakery and the 'buzz' of a High Street on a Saturday morning when you were always 'bumping into neighbours every few yards because everyone seemed to be in town'.What has surprised me, however, and left me deeply unimpressed, is the way he plans to do so – a pledge to give councils more powers to block the choice of shops that open in town centres.I described it on BBC's Newsnight as a 'lot of b******s about nothing', for I believe it is all hot air.I am not wide-eyed about vape shops. I have criticised the way they are taking over the High Street, and I appreciate that some of them, along with some barbers and other outlets, get up to illegal activities. The Prime Minister has pledged to give councils more powers to block the choice of shops, such as vape shops, that open in town centres Andy Burnham has pledged to revitalise our High Streets, with talk of bringing back the smell of the bakery and the 'buzz' of a High Street on a Saturday morningBut we already have trading standards authorities and the police to deal with this.The regeneration of our shopping hubs isn't about banning vape shops, betting shops and 'dodgy' barbers. It is about having a vision for our towns and cities and bringing about that vision in concert with the businesses that can make it happen.The best way to do that would be to encourage investment by cutting the huge tax and regulatory burdens on the retail sector, Britain's largest private-sector employer which provides some three million jobs.Yet this plan does the very opposite. By giving local councils more responsibility to regulate retail, the new Prime Minister is actually increasing the regulatory burdens on businesses.Napoleon called us a Nation of Shopkeepers – we were, and we were very good at it. Sadly no longer. Not because we have lost our skills but because we face a perfect storm. Internet shopping has made life infinitely more difficult just as we are fighting a losing battle against regulation, onerous taxation and unsustainable costs.Labour's recent increases in National Insurance, along with higher business rates and the introduction of unnecessary employment regulations, are the latest hit – and for many it is a fatal blow.I have worked in the retail industry for 50-plus years and seen massive change during that time. The industry has embraced that change and almost all of it has been positive.The cost in real terms of clothing, food, electronics and all other goods have gone down. Quality, availability, innovation and value-for-money have soared. We are highly competitive, fast-moving, amazingly efficient, resilient and hard-working. We navigate and overcome any number of obstacles, from supply-chain disruption to inflation, tariffs and climate change. Governments of all complexions owe the retail industry a debt of gratitude.But under Labour, we are constantly accused of profiteering and price-gouging. This at a time when margins are at historic lows and more retailers face going under than ever.It is an approach that could not be further from the path to growth and the revitalisation of our towns and villages. We can have both online and local shopping only if we have a government and local councils which have courage, imagination, determination and grit, says Stuart RoseIf Andy Burnham genuinely wants to regenerate and revitalise our High Streets, rather than asking local authorities to spend more money on regulation, he should ask them why they don't invest in better local amenities which will attract people to towns and cities – better and cheaper access, trees, seating, public lavatories, green spaces and more.Why not ask them, while he's at it, to reduce rates for local shops? Why not encourage them to put on more local events and support more local initiatives?The advent of out-of-town and online shopping has changed the environment for ever. It is what people want. But they also still want local shopping, local facilities and a familiar and comforting place.We can have both but only if we have a government and local councils which have courage, imagination, determination and the grit needed to make it happen.In contrast, an obsession with regulation, process and a determination to squeeze the last drop of tax out of the very industry that could be part of a High Street revival is quite simply madness.Don't just tell us what you are going to ban, Mr Burnham – show us a plan for the future.Lord Rose of Monewden is a life peer.