Co-op Wholesale partner urge business rate reforms to save local shops
Co-op Wholesale partners are calling upon the Government to extend business rates relief in the upcoming Autumn Budget, warning that thousands of high street shops could face closure without urgent support.
Five Co-op Wholesale partners, Bradley’s Supermarket (Leicester), Freshfields Market (Croydon), Nisa Local Torridon Road (Lewisham), Nisa Local Dallam Stores (Warrington) and Proudfoot Supermarkets (Scarborough), have shared their experiences as part of Co-op’s On Your Corner, In Your Corner campaign,
The campaign aims to highlight the growing pressure facing local, family-run businesses, with Bradley’s Supermarket fifth-generation owner Jack Mathews saying that business rates relief is vital to protect jobs and preserve community connections.
“We’ve always played an important role in the community,” said Mathews. “Without continued rates relief, we’d have to make tough choices around staffing and investment. Technology can help, but it will never replace human connection.”
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In Croydon, Freshfields Market owner and Business Association chair Benedict Selvaratam said his rates bill has tripled overnight, warning that the system is now “breaking the high street”.
The wholesale giant is now urging the Chancellor to commit to the maximum level of business rates relief in the Autumn Budget and deliver swift reform to give independent retailers the certainty they need to survive and grow.
“Independent retailers create local jobs, provide vital services, and keep high streets alive,” the group said. “Without meaningful reform, communities risk losing far more than just their local shop.”
Earlier this month, Co-op warned around 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs are at risk if changes to the business rates reform do not take place, according to recent data.
1 Comment. Leave new
Arent such became obsolete some time ago, thus online platforms..but no harm to rrvive, hoe about retirees? But mostly stil food and beverage. Some handicrsfts and small boutiwues whereby the fashion hardly changed. since long timeago i do wuestion why the shops continue the business despite no business and look tardy, the goods sold also not interesting, like very stale. Then an answer came tk me, jjst tompass time since can afford, kwn shops, profots from prrviousky, whats wrong w simplicity? Can see and chat w old friends if thry do come and sch. If really meant for profit, ofc is a cluster , some lkke spreaded to make the cuetomerss walk further to some isolated shops, rental issues ? But look tardy and empty … feedback on most smes. Not tidy or composed, nor well planned . If not lack of somee feel like warmth and cosy ..the arrnagement of goods? Or all nore or less the same ..boring….