Bira (the British Independent Retail Association) has issued an urgent plea to political parties to put independent retail at the heart of their election manifestos.
It stated: “This week we finally go to the polls on Thursday 4 July to choose a new government. It has been a long campaign. From Bira’s perspective, our priorities for the new government do not change, irrespective of who wins.
“We simply want a government that truly believes in the value of the high street and independent retailers. Whoever wins has to deliver:
- Lower business rates for the smaller retailers
- Review of corporate tax encouraging more investment by smaller businesses
- Continued investment in local high streets, removing barriers such as the availability and cost of parking
- A focus on retail crime to reduce the damage to retail businesses
- A review of the cycle to work scheme so that retailers also see some benefit and not just the scheme providers
- A co-ordinated plan to reduce wastage in the retail sector
- A review of regulations so that smaller retailers are not disproportionately affected
“There are many more issues to be discussed and our work in BIRA will begin on the 5th July.”
