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Bira Urges Chancellor to Safeguard Independent Retail in Upcoming Autumn Statement

24 Sep 2024

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... Read more…

Independent Retailers Association says steady inflation at 2.2% provides stability, but calls for interest rate reductio

19 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said the inflation rate holding steady at 2.2% in August provides some stability for the high street - but stresses the Bank of England... Read more…

Reducing the Carbon Footprint of Cash Processing – A Guide for Businesses

17 Sep 2024

UK Finance and others who form the Cash Industry Environment Charter have been discussing best practices when it comes to cash deposits, and as a result have produced a short guide on reducing... Read more…

Local crafters band together to sell handmade goods in new shop

17 Sep 2024

A group of crafters have banded together to open a new store in Wickham, Hampshire selling their own handmade goods.
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New data - pharmacies, pubs and banks made up half of the closures on Britain's High Streets in the first six months of 2024.

17 Sep 2024

New data has revealed that a total of 6,945 stores have closed so far in 2024 - the equivalent of 38 shops per day, although if you balance this with new store openings, there's only a net... Read more…

Town becomes hotspot for Taylor Swift fans with themed cafe and shop.

17 Sep 2024

Nestled in the Anglesey community of Beaumaris, a shop and café have built their business around all things Taylor Swift, and fans seem to love it. The Mock Turtle in Beaumaris,... Read more…

Investment in convenience sector hits record high of £1bn

17 Sep 2024

Over the last year, convenience retailers have spent a combined £1bn (up from £646m in the previous 12 months) refitting their stores, installing new energy efficient refrigeration... Read more…

Bira responds cautiously to encouraging trends in KPMG Retail Sales Monitor report.

3 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for August 2024. The report, which can be downloaded here, has highlighted:
Read more…

Pet Shop owner nominated for award for food bank donations

2 Sep 2024

Rebecca Harrington, owner of Purdy's pet shop in Coventry, has been nominated in the animal category at BBC CWR's Make a Difference awards for providing pet food parcels to food banks
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Standardised witness statement developed for retailers submitting CCTV evidence to the polic

2 Sep 2024

The National Business Crime Centre (NBCC), in collaboration with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and police forces, has developed a standardised witness statement for retailers submitting... Read more…

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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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