New Bira President vows to fight for fairer costs for independent retailers

Fairer business rates and better support for independent retailers will be the priorities of the new president of Bira.

Karen Forret, owner of Wilkies Trading, took over as President of Bira, at the organisation’s AGM this month. She succeeds John Jones of Philip Morris & Son.

Wilkies Trading has been part of the Scottish high street for over 130 years and now operates six stores across Scotland, mainly in tourist, market and coastal towns. Mrs Forret joined the business as a window dresser almost 30 years ago and has owned and run it for the past 14 years.

Karen Forret, President of Bira, said: “Becoming President of Bira is a real honour, having spent my working life in independent retail. When I decided to downsize Wilkies after Covid rather than close the business, it strengthened my determination to fight for our place on the high street. Having experienced the challenges of independent retail first-hand, I wanted to use that experience to give something back.”

Mrs Forret, who has served on Bira’s Board of Member Directors and spent the past five years lobbying the Scottish Government, said rising costs and bringing customers back to the high street are two of the biggest challenges facing the sector.

She said: “We don’t need encouragement to keep our high streets alive, we’ve already got plenty of that! What we need is fairer costs, practical support and the tools to compete. We’re fighting to keep our high streets alive, and Government should be fighting just as hard alongside us.”

As well as business rates, Mrs Forret wants to see simpler access to grants and business support, a fairer tax environment between online and high street retailers, and better access to affordable banking and payment services for independents.

She added: “I’ve always believed that the bigger our collective voice, the more likely we are to be heard. My message to members is simple: keep sharing your challenges and ideas. The stronger our membership, the louder our voice, and the greater the difference we can make.”

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Karen as President. She brings a wealth of experience as a retailer who has adapted her business through some very difficult times, and she has been a passionate campaigner for the high street. I’m looking forward to working with her to keep pushing for the changes independent retailers need and to make sure their voice is heard.”

Image credit: Bira