A coalition of hospitality, retail and leisure organisations,
including ACS, have written to the Chancellor urging him to
freeze the business rates multiplier and extend existing reliefs
for a further year at the upcoming Autumn Statement.
In a joint letter, ACS, UKHospitality, British Retail Consortium,
British Independent Retail Association and ukactive are warning
that businesses, jobs and the future of high streets are at risk
without support.
In the 2022 Autumn Statement, the Chancellor announced a package
of business rates support including a freeze to the business
rates multiplier and an increase in rates relief to help
businesses cope with the impact of the energy crisis and
inflationary pressures.
The letter calls on the Chancellor to recognise the pressures
that businesses are under as a result of rising energy prices and
wage costs and urges the Government to continue this much needed
support to protect the future of our high streets and local
communities.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Ongoing support with the
cost of business rates is essential to incentivise investment in
local high streets and shopping parades.
“We urge the Chancellor to maintain business rate reliefs and to
freeze any increase in business rates at the Autumn Financial
Statement. This will support the continued growth of the £600
million annual investment that local convenience stores already
make in their communities."
The joint letter is available here.
