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The British Retail Consortium has responded to Labour’s five-point plan to revitalise high streets by calling for a permanent freeze on business rates.
Leader Sir Keir Starmer revealed the party’s high streets policy during a local election campaign visit to Great Yarmouth and said that the Labour government would “boost the country’s economy and get the high streets thriving again”.
According to the new five-point plan, the party would cut business rates, stamp out late payments and cut energy bills for our shops, pubs and cafes.
The party also stated that it would revamp empty shops and tackle antisocial behaviour as part of its strategy to revitalise high streets.
WhileHelen Dickinson OBE, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium said it was “positive” to see Labour focus on the revitalization of the UK high street but said there “must be a permanent freeze on business rates” in the long-term to help retailers.
She said: “The successful transformation of high streets to places with a wider mix of uses, including retail but with more leisure, care in the community, public services and housing, requires strong local leadership, proactive councils and effective national policies.
“It is positive to see Labour focus on some of the steps needed to realise this vision through plans to bring empty shops back into use, tackle anti-social behaviour and support energy efficiency investment which could help as retailers target net zero by 2040.”
She added: “It is vital that solutions for thriving high streets are fully considered, don’t add complexity or cost to retailers and recognise the nature of modern retailing, whereby the majority of retailers sell both online and in stores. Retail accounts for 5% of the economy but pays more than one-fifth of business rates.
“The overall industry tax take is unsustainably high and contributes to shop closures, job losses and stifled investment. There must be a permanent freeze of business rates and a cut to the multiplier in the longer term: it’s crucial that any business rates reform reflects how modern retail works, and lowers the burden for retailers of all sizes.”
