Associations join forces to fight for retailers in crucial government discussions
The GCA and British Independent Retailers’ Association are among those invited to take part in crucial Treasury discussions on business rates reform.
The round table talks follow the government’s recently-published discussion paper on reforming business rates, released in the wake of the Autumn Statement, and the consultation process – the paper is available here – runs until March 2025, with the resulting changes set to be announced in the budget next October, and implemented from the following spring.
The talks come at a critical time for independent retailers with many set to be hit by the October Budget cut in business rates relief from 75% to 40%, although capped at £110,000, which kicks in from April adding further pressure to an already challenging trading environment exacerbated by the increases in employers’ National Insurance contributions.
A number of Independent Retailers’ Confederation members including the GCA and BIRA are involved in the discussions as part of an ongoing consultation involving a series of meetings with a broad range of organisations and trade bodies, with IRC chair John Halliday attended a session last week on the group’s behalf.
There are also parliamentary meetings and Ed Woodall, from the Association Of Convenience Stores, is attending one on Wednesday, 18 December, in his capacity as an IRC member. The meeting will be shared in Hansard, the official report of all parliamentary debates, with the details being fed back to the confederation.
GCA CEO Amanda Fergusson said: “Like us, several IRC members have a diverse membership so this is a good way of gathering evidence on behalf of indies as together we represent over 100,000 retailers.
“A business rate system that’s fair for all is crucial to ensure businesses and our High Streets prosper – with the GCA Market Report showing over 80% of cards are bought in a bricks-and-mortar store a thriving High Street is vital for our members, and with research showing over 90% of people send cards each year we reach every High Street.”
BIRA works with over 6,000 indie retailers and has been lobbying for “meaningful business rates reform” for many years, CEO Andrew Goodacre explained, aiming to permanently reducing the rates burden on the sector.
Determined to grasp when he called “a genuine opportunity” to influence long-term reform of a much-criticised system he added: “It is extremely positive that BIRA will play a prominent role in these discussions, ensuring our members’ voices are heard at the highest level.
“We understand the importance of these discussions to our members and will keep them fully informed throughout the consultation process. This is a real chance to shape a rates system that better serves independent retailers and our High Streets.”
