BRC reaction to Labour five-point plan for high streets

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.”