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Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street... Read more…

New awards launch to champion Britain's independent high street heroes

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring... Read more…

"Tectonic shift" in employment law threatens independent retailer viability, warns Bira podcast

6 Jun 2025

Independent retailers are facing a "generational" transformation of employment law that could fundamentally change how small businesses operate, according to the final episode of Bira's first... Read more…

Retailers hope warm weather and bank holidays will boost high street sales

16 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said that members are hopeful the warm weather, Easter weekend and upcoming bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost to high street sales.
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Economic growth surges to 0.7%, but "April reality check" looms for high street retailers

15 May 2025

UK economy delivers strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts of business downturn.
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Communities come together for Local Bike Shop Day 2025 celebrations

13 May 2025

Local Bike Shop Day 2025 brought a wave of... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Bank of England's latest interest rate cut

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira responds to Beales' "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" as iconic store makes final protest

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow... Read more…

Employment Rights Bill - ACT and Bira answer your questions

28 Apr 2025

The Labour Government’s new Employment Rights Bill is set to be in force this year and the new regulations will impact high street retailers up and down the country.
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ACT parent company Bira welcomes Chancellor's action on unfair trade practices

25 Apr 2025

ACT parent company Bira welcomes the Chancellor's announcement of plans to create a level playing field for British businesses against unfair international trade practices.
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Bira Urges Chancellor to Safeguard Independent Retail in Upcoming Autumn Statement

Posted on in Business News

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is set to address critical issues facing the UK's high streets at its upcoming Annual Conference, marking the event's return after a six-year absence.

Bira, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, has emphasised the critical need to extend the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief on business rates.

This plea comes amidst alarming statistics from PwC, revealing that the UK retail sector faced net closures of 12 outlets per day in the first half of 2024, resulting in 2,284 fewer high street, shopping centre, and out-of-town stores.

In a submission to the Treasury, Bira has urged the government to freeze the small business multiplier at 49.9p and continue the Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) scheme, and maintain the RHL relief payment at a 75% discount until the wholesale reform of business rates is completed.. These measures are seen as vital lifelines for independent retailers struggling in a challenging economic climate.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "Business rates reliefs have been a crucial support mechanism for years, and they've never been more needed than now. We are deeply concerned that the new Labour Government might not extend the RHL relief in its efforts to address the £22 billion deficit in the UK's finances. However, any increase in rates payable by smaller high street businesses would be catastrophic for our sector, threatening their ability to sustain operations and invest in growth."

Mr Goodacre added: "If this rates relief comes to an end, coupled with the likely 6% increase in the National Living Wage, many independent retailers will face an existential crisis. Bira is calling on the Chancellor to live up to her conference speech where she stated that 'high street businesses breath new live into communities' but 'high street businesses are punished by an outdated system of business rates'."

Bira believes the Chancellor can only make this happen by retaining these reliefs that are not just about supporting individual businesses, but also maintaining the vibrancy and diversity of UK high streets, which play a crucial role in local economies and communities."

The association said it awaits the Autumn Statement, scheduled for October 30, hoping for a clear signal of support for the independent retail sector from the new government.

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