Independent Retailer

Trouble ahead for retail vacancy rates, warns BRC

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company has said the new BRC-LDC Vacancy Monitor has revealed that the rate of store vacancies increased to 12.2% in March. The monitor also reported a 0.3% decrease in vacancy rates in shopping centres to 14.1% compared with 14.4%. The South West and Wales…

Read More »

Bira releases ‘life after lockdown’ strategy

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has released its 10-point “life after lockdown” strategy, calling on the government to consider lifting restrictions on smaller retailers first. In an open letter, CEO Andrew Goodacre’s survival plan encourages retailers to consider sustainable retail, customer focused experiences and multi-channel sales to survive post…

Read More »

Revaluation of business rates postponed following pressure from Bira

A government plan to bring forward the next revaluation of business rates to April 1, 2021, has been shelved following pressure from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Bira joined other heads of the retail sector in demanding that Chancellor Rishi Sunak withdraw ‘disastrous’ legislation, which was due to be…

Read More »

Bira welcomes 100% government-backed loans for small businesses

The British Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed a new government scheme to offer 100% taxpayer-backed loans for the UK’s small businesses. Yesterday (27 April), Rishi Sunak announced the scheme would start next week offering firms loans of up to £50,000 within days of applying. To access the loans, which are…

Read More »

Bira welcomes additional support for Scottish retailers

Bira has welcomed a move by the Scottish Government to give additional financial support to small retail businesses. Scottish Ministers have announced a second phase of funding – worth £120m – in response to the outbreak of coronavirus, which results in businesses with one property will get a 100% grant.…

Read More »

BIRA fight ‘anomaly’ in government grant funding

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is highlighting an ‘anomaly’ in government grant funding meaning small independent retailers could be missing out on £15,000 Covid-19 cash. According to real estate advisory firm Altus Group almost 3,700 small shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants could miss out on the money. An early…

Read More »

Covid-19: Bira welcomes call for more loan access

A government pledge to pressure banks into supporting small business during the coronavirus pandemic has been welcomed by the Pet Product Retail Association parent company the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA). The business secretary Alok Sharma recently called on high street lenders to ease access of the Coronavirus Business Interruption…

Read More »

Banks are failing independent retailers in Covid-19 crisis, says BIRA

High street banks are failing to support small independent retailers in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, a new members’ survey by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has revealed. Bira asked its members three questions about the support they’ve received following the outbreak of coronavirus – and the results…

Read More »

More must be done to support independent retailers through Covid-19 crisis, says BIRA

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has said more must be done to support independent retailers through the coronavirus crisis. BIRA has also launched a dedicated coronavirus hub to guide members and the wider retail community through the crisis. The online resource is a one-stop shop featuring a wealth of…

Read More »

Bira welcomes temporary abolition of business rates in Scotland

The Scottish Government’s move to temporarily abolish business rates in a bid to minimise the impact of coronavirus has been welcomed by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira). Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop MSP has unveiled a new economic package to the Holyrood Parliament in response to coronavirus, including 12 months…

Read More »