TRADE NEWS Return of cash ideal for small firms Mayoral candidates urged to engage small businesses High street stores could decline in the face of online retailers Sainsbury's to increase non-food retail Wholesalers could be hit by rising manufacturing costs Technology easing wholesale operations Government urged to tackle corporation tax Carrier bag charges receive consumer backing Credit crunch not dampening online retail spirits Domain name important for small firms Retailers urged to act on climate change Councils urged to help small businesses Borough Market wins prestigious accolade Small retailers web presence vital London retailers thriving despite crunch Thornaby shopping centre to provide space for small retailers Sir Phillip advises retailers to be inventive Retailers property prospects not harmed by crunch Chamber launches new eco-shopping bag Retailers confident despite crunch Small retailers could face legal changes Online fashion retailers drive women to the internet Interest rate cut provides wholesaler boost Online sales set to break £100b mark Independent retailers spring up in the north-east Small retailers face taxation worries Training could boost performance of independent retailers Independent retailers increase online advertising spend Dragon's Den contestant boosts business Google advises independent e-retailers Complex legal changes confusing independent retailers Online retailers urged to address consumer concerns Web sales increase over the Easter period M&S provide green example for independent retailers Retailers back BBFC control of video games Shoppers reject plastic bag tax New regulations unlikely to threaten retailers right to offer 'buy one get one free' Mothercare sales boost retail hopes New campaign to help under-prepared retailers Independent retailers receive legal boost bssa Sales Monitor survey launched Brighton Gift Fair is back Wholesalers and retailers slam property tax changes   Trade News Archive   April 08   March 08   February 08   January 08 Subscribe to our newsletter   Go to The Wholesaler UK Directory 22rd April 2008 Councils urged to help small businesses Local councils should be doing more to ensure that independent regional businesses thrive, experts have claimed. According to the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), local authorities have a responsibility to help small retailers survive the threat of large companies, such as supermarkets. Simon Briault, a spokesperson for the FSB, claimed that councils could take a harder line with development proposals of larger companies. "The local council has control over planning decisions, and can be bullied by supermarkets into setting up huge out-of-town retail centres. We'd like them to be sterner on that sort of thing," he said. The FSB also claimed that authorities should provide help for local wholesalers by making it easier for them to win council business. Mr Briault added: "The other big thing outside of the retail area, which local councils have a lot of control over, is procurement. We think they should be doing more to make it easier for small businesses to tender for local public sector contracts."   (c) 2008 Adfero Ltd