The Federation for Small Business (FSB) has urged peers to back retailers hit by tightening consumer purse strings, by supporting the Retail Development Bill.
The Bill, which will receive its second reading in the House of Lords today, is the latest attempt to save local enterprise by seeking measures to create a ‘level playing field’ for small shops and supermarkets.
Proposals outlined in the Bill include a business rates review based on annual turnover and floor space, retail development plans putting the interests of local communities first, and the creation of an independent ‘Office of Retail Planning’.
Meanwhile, with two weeks to go until budget day, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) called on the chancellor to use the budget to ease economic pressure on retailers.
The group called on Alistair Darling to take action by rewarding retailers’ environmental achievements, while scrapping increases in business rates.
“Retailers already pay more than any other sector in business rates, and they are increasingly being asked to fund projects like Crossrail,” said a spokesperson.
“This hits retailers harder than many other businesses, as rates bills reflect retailers’ heavy use of buildings compared with other sectors.
“The government is planning to give local authorities the power to add supplements to business rates. We believe this will be abused as simply another stealth tax for local authorities to raise money from businesses,” he warned.
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2008
