The British Independent Retailers Association is calling for new measures to protect high street traders.
It follows recent data from the British Retail Consortium and the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC), revealing high street recovery from the impact of covid-19 remains slow.
The requested measures have also been set out in anticipation, and to mitigate the impact, of further local or national lockdowns.
They include:
> Confirmation from the Government that business rates will not be reintroduced in April 2021
> Consideration and implementation of a voucher scheme, similar to the Eat Out to Help Out initiative, in the run up to Christmas
> Support for retailers looking to launch or expand their online presence.
Bira also wants to reassure customers that shopping is safe. CEO Andrew Goodacre said: “The evidence suggests that retail is not a catalyst for spreading the disease. I want to remind people shopping is safe and that retailers have safety measures in place.”
He is advising Bira members – and other independent retailers – to use the opportunity to make their premises feel safer and even more personal.
