Independent Retailer

Increased road closures ‘detrimental’ to high street trade, says Bira

Increasing numbers of road closures are a further barrier for shoppers to return to the high street, says the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Bira is raising concerns after members in coastal resorts highlighted the problem when roads were closed as “tourists flocked to beaches during lockdown last week”. Andrew…

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Frozzys secures Pedigree wholesale listing

Frozzys, the lickable frozen yogurt for dogs, has secured a listing for its range of dog treats with pet distributor Pedigree wholesale. The new listing will see Frozzys range of frozen yogurt available to Pedigree’s account base of independent retailers. The company said the new partnership demonstrates the growing demand…

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Bira welcomes extension of government protection scheme

Bira has “welcomed” the government’s decision to extend protection for businesses from aggressive debt collection until September. The extended measures will prevent struggling retailers from being evicted with the current protection originally due to expire on June 30. The association said the decision was made by the government after Bira…

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Bira opposed to proposed relaxation of Sunday trading laws

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has expressed concern for proposed relaxation of Sunday trading laws. Under plans being suggested by the government, England could suspend Sunday trading laws for a year in a bid to boost the economy. However, Bira, who has added its support to the ‘Keep Sunday…

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Bira welcomes business rates revaluation postponement in Wales

The British Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed the decision by the Welsh government to delay the revaluation of business rates.  The announcement follows a similar ruling made in England on 6 May, which resulted in the government scrapping a bill to reevaluate business rates in 2021. The decision to postpone…

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Bira creates five-step guide to help independent retailers open again

The British Independent Retailers Association has created a five-step guide to help independent retailers open again with confidence later this month. The five-step guide to a Covid-secure reopening takes members through what they need to do to be safe and compliant ahead of reopening on 15 June . It also…

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Bira welcomes £50m fund to prepare high streets for shoppers return

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed a new £50m boost to help local authorities prepare high streets for reopening. High Streets Minister Simon Clarke announced the fund for councils to help their local high streets get safely back to business earlier this week. The ‘Reopening High Streets Safely…

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‘Many independent retailers are ready to reopen now’, says Bira CEO

The CEO of The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) Andrew Goodacre has said many independent retailers are ready to reopen now, having already worked hard to put measures in place to keep both customers and staff safe. The news comes as non-essential retailers will be allowed to reopen from Monday,…

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IRC launches ‘We are open’ scheme amid Covid-19 crisis

The Independent Retailers Confederation (IRC), a group of trade organisations representing different independent retail sectors across the UK, has launched ‘We are open’, an online map and directory of independent shops that are still open and operating responsibly during the Covid-19 pandemic.   Under the government’s guidance some high street retailers…

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Reopening independent stores must be part of first phase of exit plan, says Bira

Independent retail businesses can offer a safe shopping environment and will help keep people within their local communities’, says the head of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Andrew Goodacre is calling for small independent shops to reopen during the first phase of lifting lockdown restrictions outlined in government documents.…

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