Government
This coverage examines government actions, policies, and regulations affecting the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights legislation, consultations, economic measures, and public statements with direct implications for retail operations, employment, taxation, and consumer behaviour. Tailored for executives and managers, it offers analysis to support strategic planning and compliance in a changing regulatory and economic environment.
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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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1 MarchGovernment
Business rates appeals drop under ‘complicated’ system
Businesses are struggling with the new ‘check challenge appeal’ (CCA) business rates appeals system, according to rating experts at Colliers International, commercial real estate agency and consultancy. New figures released by the government show that in the 21 months between 1 April 2017, when the new system for appealing against…
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Feb- 2019 -28 FebruaryAnalysis
How can small businesses prepare for Brexit?
Unfortunately one of the most significant problems regarding Brexit is the uncertainty. It was in 1973 that the UK, along with Denmark and Ireland, joined the European Economic Community – as the EU then was. This was a time when the political, cultural and economic landscape was vastly different. As…
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Dec- 2018 -20 DecemberGovernment
MPs launch inquiry into business rates
The Treasury select committee has launched an inquiry into business rates as part of the Housing, Communities and Local Government committee’s wider inquiry into the high street. Chair of the Treasury select committee, Nicky Morgan said the two departments were expected to publish the terms of reference in the new…
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10 DecemberClothing & Shoes
Mike Ashley’s Flannels given £125k rates relief despite £65m turnover
Mike Ashley’s high end fashion chain Flannels has been handed £125,000 in business rates “help” by a local council amid fears that a former pub and nightclub it bought back in 2016 would be left derelict. Doncaster Council agreed the funding to Flannels’ over a “derelict” site at Priory Walk,…
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5 DecemberGovernment
Government clarifies details of new business rates relief
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has published guidance on the details of how business rates discounts first announced in this year’s Budget will be allocated. During the Budget on 29 October, chancellor Philip Hammond announced that businesses with a rateable value of under £51,000 would receive…
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4 DecemberDepartment Stores
‘Tax the internet for the good of the high street’, Mike Ashley tells MPs
Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has said online businesses should be taxed 20% in as soon as six months to save the majority of high street retailers and avoid closures. Ashley appeared in front of MPs at the House of Commons yesterday (3 December) after demanding to meet them in…
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3 DecemberDepartment Stores
House of Fraser Manchester store saved from closure
The House of Fraser Kendal’s store in Manchester has been rescued from closure, saving roughly 570 jobs. New terms have been reached with the store’s landlord, allowing trading to continue, with the Manchester city council playing an “instrumental” role in discussions. The council leader, Sir Richard Leese, said: “Today’s announcement…
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Nov- 2018 -23 November
Amazon responds amid Black Friday warehouse protests
Amazon has responded to claims made by workers’ union GMB calling working conditions “inhumane” as “simply wrong”, as employees from some of its UK warehouses mounted protests this Black Friday. Hundreds of Amazon warehouse workers have protested at the online retail giant’s warehouses in Rugeley, Swansea, Peterborough, Milton Keynes…
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Oct- 2018 -10 OctoberComment
How businesses can prepare themselves for trading following a no-deal Brexit
It should come as no surprise that the Government would leave establishing trade strategy within the EU, post-Brexit, up to the individual business. Now that retailers are going to be responsible for determining their own delivery structure, delaying the inevitable will do more harm than good, in an already volatile…
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