Liberal Democrat MPs have launched a bid to save the UK's small high street shops.
Lib Dem finance spokesperson Brian Cotter tabled a Bill in the House of Commons that would force local councils to take steps to protect small shops against dominant supermarket chains.
The news will go down well with small businesses, who struggle to match the lower prices offered by bigger outlets. Cotter argues this is causing about 50 small shops to go bust every week.
It may also prove popular with shoppers, with many fearing the onset of 'clone town Britain', where all city and town centres are filled with the same chains of supermarkets and other shops.
If passed, the rules would require councils to develop plans supporting small shops, give communities the final say on whether large shopping centres are built, and favour retailers who leave more money circulating in the local economy.
They would also provide rate relief to small shops, evening up the "disproportionate burden" placed upon SMEs compared with larger companies.
Currently small firms often pay a larger share of their revenues in business rates than bigger competitors, something that they hope will be remedied when small business rates relief is introduced in April.
Cotter said: "Small shops are the very life blood of our community, providing job opportunities and vital services to local people, particularly those without transport, such as the elderly and the disabled.
"I was pleased to make the case for new laws to protect small shops in the House of Commons. Increasing numbers of independent retailers are being forced out of business due to the disproportionate burden of red tape and business rates.
"I hope that in raising these concerns, local authorities and the government will recognise the importance of creating a level playing field so that small shops can compete on fair terms with larger stores and supermarkets."
