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A fifth of Brits prefer using mobile phones to make payments in shops.

8 Aug 2023

One in five UK consumers (20%) prefer using mobile payment services such as Apple Pay over cash (17%) or chip & PIN card payments (10%) for in-store purchases, a new survey has reported.
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New Consumer Duty comes into force

1 Aug 2023

In what the Financial Conduct Authority has described as “a step change in standards of consumer protection” new Consumer Duty regulations have come into force for all products and... Read more…

US audiobook platform Libro.fm launches to indie bookshops in UK

1 Aug 2023

Independent bookshops in the UK can now sell audio books through Libro.fm. Launching in the last couple of weeks in the UK, the digital audio book platform, which already partners with... Read more…

From Cash to Contactless – IRC Leads Study on Payment Trends in Retail

31 Jul 2023

The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC) will be working with key financial institutions within the UK to gauge the shift in retail payments.
 
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Retailers call for CCTV grants as shoplifting rises 24% year on year

31 Jul 2023

Independent retailers are calling on the government to offer security grants so that stores can be better equipped to deal with shoplifting, which has risen by a quarter in England and Wales in... Read more…

Indie retail finalists named in the 2023 Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards

31 Jul 2023

The shortlist has been announced for the 2023 Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards, which celebrate innovative products and inspiring independent retailers in the world of artisan food and... Read more…

ActSmart partner Tyl by NatWest leads the charge with new Tap to Pay

19 Jul 2023

Apple has announced that Tap to Pay on iPhone has now rolled out to the UK, enabling small businesses to accept Apple Pay and contactless card payments using nothing more than their... Read more…

Union launches blueprint to save the future of retail sector

19 Jul 2023

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw has launched a blueprint to secure the future of the retail sector, which includes calling for the levelling of business taxation between online and in-store... Read more…

Your views are needed on the 2023 State of the Workforce Survey

19 Jul 2023

Bira is supporting and urging retailers to participate in the 2023 State of the Workforce Survey, which is being run by People 1st International, part of The Workforce... Read more…

Jewellery sector’s Inspiring Independents 2023 - the top 100 independent jewellery and watch retailers - recognised by the industry

18 Jul 2023

Industry magazine Retail Jeweller’s list of Inspiring Independents 2023 - the top 100 independent jewellery and watch retailers from across the UK and Ireland, as voted... Read more…

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Extension to High Street Rates Relief Scheme 2019

Posted on in Business News

ACS welcomes the announcement from the Welsh Government, which has confirmed an extension to the high street rates relief scheme for 2019-2020.

books 

Mark Drakeford, Welsh Finance Secretary, said:

"The high street is at the heart of local communities, providing a central hub for people to shop, eat and socialise. The current economic conditions and competition from the internet and out-of-town shopping centres, have hit some high street businesses hard."

The Welsh Government is estimating that 15,000 retailers in Wales with the rateable value of up to £50,000 will benefit from the 2019-2020 scheme.

Local authorities will also receive an additional £2.4m to provide discretionary rates relief where it is deemed necessary.

"This enhanced high street rate relief scheme for 2019-20 will ensure more ratepayers across Wales receive support to pay their bills and can continue to provide much-needed services to their local communities".

As reported by the ACS, eligible businesses will receive up to £2,500 off their business rates bills, with properties with a rateable value of up to £9,100 paying no rates at all.

James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said:

"Convenience stores and other small businesses in Wales will welcome this additional rate relief scheme which will help retailer to invest in improving their businesses in the future. ACS is part of the Cross Party Group on Small Shops, whose Supporting Entrepreneurship Inquiry highlighted the importance of using the business rates system to incentivise growth and investment. We are pleased that the Welsh Government remains committed to this, but urge them to ensure that local authorities make good use of the additional discretionary funds that are being made available to them".

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