🚨 Urgent News for Local Shoppers! 🚨
Thousands of small shops across the UK might be shutting their doors soon, and 150,000 jobs could vanish unless business rates get a much-needed reform. The Co-op has highlighted that 10% of high street business owners are considering staff layoffs, and about one in eight fear closure.
Shirine Khoury-Haq, the Co-op Group chief executive, emphasises the critical need for government intervention as the autumn Budget approaches. Local shops aren’t just where we buy our essentials; they’re places where communities connect and thrive. Losing them means more than just losing convenience—it’s about losing vibrant community hubs.
Recent surveys reveal a sobering truth: four out of five small business owners believe that business rates reform is crucial for their shops’ survival. These shops have already seen a ÂŁ100m rise in business rates over the past year, and they’re bracing for more.
James Lowman from the Association of Convenience Stores urges the government to use new powers to introduce a permanently lower multiplier for local shops, offering them a lifeline. With the fear of higher bills looming, many retailers are reaching out to their MPs, stressing the need for long-term solutions in the upcoming Budget.
Let’s hope the government hears the call for change and provides the clarity and support that these essential local businesses desperately need! 💬🛍️ #SupportLocalShops #BusinessRatesReform #CommunityMatters