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Bira is backing findings from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) that spending on homeware and DIY is boosting retail sales figures. The ONS released its retail report for August 2020, revealing a fourth consecutive month of growth, with sales up by 0.8% when compared with July. The report, published today (September 18) said spending […]

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Bira has welcomed the London Mayor’s support for an extension to the business rates holiday. Bira has been campaigning for the Government to extend its business rates holiday past April 2021, as retailers continue to recover from the impact of Covid-19. Now, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has spoken in favour of the move, calling on […]

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A 10pm curfew will be imposed to bars, restaurants and pubs in a large area of the North East of England, it has been announced today (Thursday, September 17). The restrictions are just part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus following a spike in the area, and include a ban on households mixing. […]

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All licensed pubs, bars and restaurants in the Welsh county of Rhodda Cyon Taff will have to shut at 11pm every day, once new lockdown restrictions come into effect. The move was announced as part of tighter restrictions being imposed on residents from 6pm tomorrow (Thursday). It is the second Welsh county to increase measures […]

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Bira is ‘delighted’ the Government has extended its protection for commercial tenants from eviction until the end of the year. Today’s announcement, made by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick, follows Bira’s campaigning efforts highlighting the concern of members. It means that businesses will be protected from the threat of eviction until the end of 2020 – […]

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Bira is calling for new measures to protect high street traders. It follows recent data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), revealing high street recovery from the impact of Covid-19 remains slow. The measures have also been set out in anticipation, and to mitigate the impact, of further local […]

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The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has released its Retail Sales Monitor for August, 2020. The report revealed recovery from the impact of the pandemic were ‘painfully slow’. David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, explained: “Six months on from the start of the pandemic and the revival of retail is proving painfully slow and protracted. “The recovery […]

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Bira is working with Government to support the Assaults on Retail Workers (Offences) Bill 2019-21. The Bill will make certain offences, including malicious wounding, grievous or actual bodily harm and common assaults, aggravated when perpetrated against a retail worker in the course of their employment. It will make provision about the sentencing of persons convicted of […]

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Pubs, restaurants, hairdressers, cafes and other venues across England and Wales are being urged to download QR codes to prepare for public rollout of new app, it has been announced. The NHS COVID-19 app is currently being trialled and will launch on Thursday, September 24, in England and Wales, including QR check-in at venues QR […]

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Retail businesses in England that are required to shut because of local lockdowns will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks. The Government announced the scheme yesterday (Tuesday, September 9) to provide a  safety net to further protect jobs where a business is required to close. To be eligible […]

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