RETAIL ENVIRONMENT
Retailers welcome new PMs pledge for high street support
There has been a broadly positive response from the retail and hospitality communities to the new Prime Minister’s support for high street businesses that consumers want to see there.
Just days into his new premiership, Andy Burnham announced a major 20 per cent cut in business rates for pubs, social clubs, and live music venues, alongside a review of rates for anti-social shops, such as vape outlets. The reforms aim to back community-centric businesses and revitalise high streets across England.
They form part of a wider restructuring of the rates system to support businesses that make a positive difference on high streets and better account for online retailers to ensure they pay their fair share. The changes will partly be funded by reducing support for 'anti-social' businesses, with vape shops singled out by the Prime Minister.
Making the announcement, the Prime Minister said: “For too long, governments have stood by while cherished venues have disappeared from our local high streets.
“This government will back the businesses that people want to see in their communities. What we’re announcing today is just the start as we work to bring back hope across the country.”
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the Prime Minister's plans to support high street businesses that have a positive impact on their communities through the business rates system.
ACS' 2026 community Barometer Report provides a clear blueprint for what a diverse, thriving high street looks like, including post offices, pharmacies and convenience stores which were seen by consumers as the top three businesses that have a positive impact on their local community, as well as being seen as the most essential. Convenience stores ranked as the number one service for encouraging local growth.
Convenience stores themselves are home to a wide range of services, with one in five hosting a Post Office and 41per cent providing access to cash for local people.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: "We welcome the Prime Minister's focus on supporting businesses that make a positive difference in their local areas. Convenience stores are at the heart of these communities and play a vital role, providing essential services, creating local jobs and supporting local growth, yet many continue to face significant cost pressures, and have been hit hard by rates increases and need support to be able to invest and grow.
"To create growth in every postcode across the UK, the government must take action in the Budget to reform the business rates system and provide further support for local shops. We look forward to working with the government on reforms that recognise the role of local shops and enable them to invest, grow and continue serving their communities.'
Also responding to Andy Burnham’s speech, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium (BRC), said: “Retailers will be heartened to hear Andy Burnham’s ambition to create ‘good growth in every postcode’. Retail sits at the heart of our local economies, providing jobs, investment, and essential goods and services for local people.
“Retailers want to be at the forefront of ‘Britain’s renaissance’, helping revitalise our towns, cities, and high streets. Andy Burnham is right to recognise that business rates reform is essential to unlocking that investment. The current system remains broken, holding back growth, jobs and regeneration in communities across the country.
“If government can buy into retail, putting the right reforms in place, retailers will help deliver jobs, support families with the cost of living, and create the thriving high streets that sit at the heart of Andy Burnham’s vision.”
