Andy Burnham has been Prime Minister for a matter of days, and he's already announced a 20% business rates cut for pubs, clubs and live music venues. In this episode of High Street Matters, Bira asks what that means for the rest of the high street, and sets out exactly what independent retailers need from the new government.
Host Jeff Moody is joined by Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, Surinder Josan, past president of Bira and owner of All Seasons DIY in Smethwick, and John Jones, current president of Bira and managing partner of Philip Morris and Son in Hereford.
Together they look back at a tough few years for independent retail, react to the new PM's early policy moves, and lay out a funded proposal that could raise £6.5 billion for the Treasury by closing the low value import loophole and tackling online VAT fraud, more than enough to pay for wider business rates relief.
With the autumn Budget on the horizon, this episode is a clear message to Number 10: independent retailers deserve the same level of support as the businesses making headlines.
You can watch the full podcast above, or listen/watch on your preferred platform linked below.
View all episodes
High Street Matters Podcast
High Street Matters will discuss crucial subjects such as consumer trends, relevant government legislation, business rates, parking and staffing, providing top tips to help to help businesses stay ahead of the retail curve.
Related News
-
£2,000 grant available to retailers taking on young apprentices
Small and medium-sized retailers taking on young apprentices can receive a £2,000 government payment for each eligible apprentice.
-
Campaign calls for 90 minutes’ free parking on England’s high streets
A Parliamentary petition calling for a national minimum of 90 minutes’ free parking in town and city centres across England has gained momentum.
-
Employment law changes to take effect in October with WorkNest providing need-to-know toolkit for retailers
A further 11 employment law reforms are expected to take effect in October as part of the rollout of the Employment Rights Act 2025, with WorkNest providing resources.
-
Bira and Toy Retailers Association urge shoppers to buy safe as counterfeit toy investigations rise
Bira has joined forces with the Toy Retailers Association to warn shoppers against buying toys through unregulated online marketplaces.