Responding to Labour's five-point plan to revitalise high
streets, Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief Executive of
the British Retail Consortium, said:
“The successful transformation of high streets to places with a
wider mix of uses, including retail but with more leisure, care
in the community, public services and housing, requires strong
local leadership, proactive councils and effective national
policies. It is positive to see Labour focus on some of the steps
needed to realise this vision through plans to bring empty shops
back into use, tackle anti-social behaviour and support energy
efficiency investment which could help as retailers target net
zero by 2040.
“It is vital that solutions for thriving high streets are fully
considered, don’t add complexity or cost to retailers and
recognise the nature of modern retailing, whereby the majority of
retailers sell both online and in stores. Retail accounts for 5%
of the economy but pays more than one-fifth of business rates.
The overall industry tax take is unsustainably high and
contributes to shop closures, job losses and stifled investment.
There must be a permanent freeze of business rates and a cut to
the multiplier in the longer term: it’s crucial that any business
rates reform reflects how modern retail works, and lowers the
burden for retailers of all sizes.”
