Business Rates
This coverage examines business rates policy and its implications for the UK retail sector. Reporting focuses on government decisions, reforms, rate relief measures, and their impact on store operations, profitability, and investment decisions. Tailored for retail executives and managers, it provides analysis to help navigate costs, advocate for change, and plan effectively in response to fiscal pressures.
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May- 2019 -13 MayEconomy
Shop vacancy rate rises to highest level in four years
The national town centre vacancy rate rose to 10.2% empty outlets, according to data from the BRC-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor. This is an increase on the previous quarter’s 9.9% rise and the highest vacancy rate seen since April 2015. In the four weeks from 31 March to 27 April,…
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8 MayEconomy
Retail sales ‘below expectation’ in April
Retail sales fell below expectations in April, despite a total sales increase of 4.1% against the decrease of 3.1% the previous year, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. This was due to figures being “distorted” by the timing of the run-up to Easter, which was in April this…
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7 MayDepartment Stores
Debenhams to ask for 50% cut in business rates bills
Embattled department store Debenhams has reportedly planning to ask 30 local authorities to accept a 50% reduction in its business rates bill, as part of its proposed CVA. According to the Sunday Times, the department store’s creditors are set to vote on the proposal on Thursday (9 May). Small landlords…
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Apr- 2019 -18 AprilEconomy
UK retail sector bounces back in March
In the three months to March 2019, the quantity bought in retail sales increased by 1.6% compared with the previous quarter in 2018, according to new figures from the ONS. The sales increase has been attributed to “sustained growth” throughout the first three months of the year, and all store…
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17 AprilEconomy
Shopping centre landlords offer free space to retailers
Revo, the organisation that represents the retail community, has launched a new competition to give budding retail entrepreneurs free space in shopping centres and help with marketing. The organisation driving retail placemaking across Britain and Ireland has launched a major new campaign to find the next generation of retail talent…
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8 AprilClothing & Shoes
Ann Summers calls in advisers after £3.3m loss
Lingerie retailer, Ann Summers, has announced it has appointed a property adviser in order to help with rent reductions, after a £3.3m loss last year replaced a £2.9m profit in the year previous. The retailer blamed rising store costs along with the fall of sterling due to Brexit, which it…
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4 AprilAnalysis
Securing the future of the UK high street
UK High Streets have reached a ‘tipping point’. That was the view of a recently published parliamentary inquiry report on UK high streets. The shift to online sales (now accounting for 20% of all retail sales); the upward revaluation of business rates, previous planning policies; and local authority financing constraints…
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1 AprilEconomy
Shops, pubs and restaurants to get £500m tax reprieve
Small firms on England’s embattled high streets are set to share in half a billion pounds worth of tax cuts as business rates bills are slashed, real estate adviser Altus Group has said. The government announced a business rates discount scheme for small sized high street properties in England which…
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Mar- 2019 -21 MarchGovernment
Retailers left waiting for rates discounts as deadline approaches
Businesses in England were promised millions of pounds in support by the chancellor last October but, less than two weeks before the start of the new tax year on 1 April, many are still either waiting for discounts worth up to £8,000 or haven’t yet applied. The government announced a…
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12 MarchGovernment
Digital Services Tax extended to include 2% ‘Amazon tax’
High streets government minister, Jake Berry, has promised to extend the Digital Services Tax to include a “2% tax on online retail” to save Britain’s high streets. Berry confirmed that the tax, announced at last October’s Autumn Budget, would be extended to online retailers saying if the government cannot secure…
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