02 March 2021
Acclaimed writer and poet Charly Cox has written a love letter to the high street as part of a campaign to boost government support for the independent sector.
The letter is part of the Save The Street Campaign, ahead of tomorrow's Budget when Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak unveils his package of measures for businesses.
Save The Street, like Bira, has been lobbying for an extension to the business rates holiday, and a long-term support package for retail.
Retailers are encouraged to share the love letter to independents by Charly Cox across social media, as well as a plea for followers to share the three stores they miss the most using the hashtag #SAVETHESTREET.
Speaking about the letter, Charly said:“When I'm thinking of the places I can't wait to revisit, I always preface them with ‘my’. My favourite coffee shop. My deli. My pub where I meet my friends. We feel such ownership over these places. So it‘s ultimately our responsibility to ensure that they're still there and still thriving when we come back.”
To share the content:
- Share the video: https://www.instagram.com/p/CLwQtoxjGS5/
- Share one of our storefront illustrations: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5a0zaayl9pdtm2i/AAAwNz8nz1wjbTsVOe_SCcCwa?dl=0
- Post images of your favourite three independent stores (the ones you miss and can’t wait to return to), and nominate a few of your contacts to do the same.
Bira sets out its wishlist for the Budget here
Additional Guidance and Resources
- Join the fight for extension to business rates holiday
- Bira: Reform business rates to 'level up playing field'
- Three-month extension of business rates holiday in Scotland 'not enough'
- Abolish business rates until 2022, says Bira
- Bira fights for indie retailers in meeting with business minister
- Indies want to help take economy forward, Bira tells new Business Minister
- Bira concerned Treasury’s funding package will not be enough to sustain retailers
- Five-point plan to save indie retail sector gets Bira’s support
Please tag @save_the_street and #savethestreet
Becky (cc’d) can help if you need any further assets or have any questions at all.
Ross Bailey