Background Local authorities (LAs) in England are using the planning system to restrict the proliferation of hot food takeaway outlets (‘takeaways’) near schools as part of a range of policies to prevent childhood obesity. One approach is to implement takeaway management zones (TMZs) where applications to open new takeaways near schools are either denied or granted restricted permission to operate. However, little is known about how young people view TMZs. In this qualitative study we explore young people’s perspectives of TMZs including their acceptability and effectiveness.

Methods We purposively recruited 46 young people (aged 11-18 years old) attending secondary school across two contrasting London local authorities with operating TMZs. We conducted semi-structured, participant-led, walking group interviews (‘go-alongs’) in January-February 2023 around the local food environment close to participant’s schools. Data were analysed using framework analysis.

Results Participants generally viewed TMZs as reasonable and uncontroversial, but were not always aware that TMZs were in operation in their school neighbourhood. Although respondents understood that TMZs prevented new outlets from opening, they noticed that it did not seem to reduce existing provision. This was viewed positively as it did not result in the closure of local takeaways perceived as important components of the social fabric of school life. Participants believed that the potential health impact of the intervention was limited by its exclusive focus on reducing access to takeaways, as other outlets commonly patronised by young people, such as newsagents, convenience stores and fast-food restaurants were important sources of unhealthy food. Participants also identified inadequacies in the wider school-neighbourhood food environment, including the school dining environment and the ready availability of foods and drinks like confectionery and energy drinks from other outlets.

Conclusion Our findings suggest that although young people find TMZs acceptable, and believe they may have some positive impacts, they did not perceive TMZs as effective as they could be. This is mainly due to the widespread availability of confectionery, snacks and drinks in local newsagents and convenience stores, outlets which are outside of the scope of the policy. These non-takeaway outlets are seen as important components of the everyday purchasing and consumption environments of young people. Young people articulated that the management of takeaways on their own is unlikely to reduce exposure to unhealthy foods. Widening the remit of planning policy to include outlets selling convenience foods may therefore be important for policy optimisation.