The ACT and other IRC members meet with under-secretary of state Paul Scully MP to discuss the future on independent retail
Posted on in Business News, Cycles News, Political News
Key members of the Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) including the ACT and ActSmart, have met with Paul Scully MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets and also Minister for London, to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on independent retailers.
The IRC is a well-established organisation, bringing together like-minded trade associations with interests in the small and independent retail sector. The IRC represents c.100,000 independent retailers throughout the UK, creating a growing retail network, committed to the development and sharing of best practice among associations and their members engaged in the independent retail sector.
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The lockdown has heavily affected high street retailers, impacting both essential and non-essential retailers in different ways. The meeting topics evaluated any lessons that we have so far learned from national lockdowns and ways in which we can move forward from this using government support.
The Minister acknowledged the investment that had been made by retailers to ensure COVID19 safe trading environments, and was keen to emphasis the governments desire to ensure that non-essential retail remain open if possible. He acknowledged the need for clear consistent messaging from government, but also asked for support with messaging locally to encourage consumers to take responsibility for shopping safely. He said he was keen to work with the IRC and listen to our input.
The need for targeted relief for businesses effected most was discussed, and the issues of rent and rates. Again the Minister listened and said he was ‘sympathetic' to the request to extend the moratorium on rents but that there needed to be an end date due to the impact on other areas of the economy. The need for urgent review of the rates system was also discussed, which the Minister acknowledged, and he invited the group to feed back further with ideas. The group also put forward the idea of a government voucher scheme, similar to the summer ‘eat out' initiative, to support local retailers which the Minister noted.
The IRC will be meeting with the minister once again early in the New Year, updates of this will once again follow. If you would like to provide any feedback or suggestions that could potentially be discussed in the meeting please email info@indieretail.uk.
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